San Juan Basin Public Health has almost $1 million in grants to spend on outreach and education efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-access groups.
Concerns about COVID-19 are ramping up, particularly in response to a new variant of the virus, dubbed the delta variant, which has quickly risen to dominance in the United States. Still, some community members might feel hesitant to receive the vaccine. The federal government has blamed online misinformation for intensifying those concerns.
The grant money will help SJBPH have more two-way conversations with community members and provide vaccine access to all local communities equitably, according to the health department.
“SJBPH is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to vaccinating as many residents as quickly as possible and doing so in a way that is equitable,” said Liane Jollon, SJBPH executive director, in a news release. “These funds will allow us to continue our vaccine education and outreach in a robust way and add new, innovative strategies to reach underserved communities and help them get protected from COVID-19.”
More than half of eligible residents, people ages 12 and older, in both La Plata and Archuleta counties have already been fully vaccinated.
In La Plata County, about 65% of the eligible population was fully vaccinated as of Monday; in Archuleta County, 56%, according to SJBPH.
That leaves about 23,000 people ages 12 and older, total, in the counties who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
The delta variant, which appears to be twice as transmissible as past variants, is likely the dominant strain in La Plata County, as well as Colorado and the United States. Preliminary research suggests delta might also cause more severe cases of COVID-19.
“Unvaccinated residents are at much higher risk of catching one of the more severe variants that are present in our community,” Jollon said. “The safe and effective vaccines are still our best tool for limiting the spread of COVID-19, in addition to masks, which we continue to strongly advise for both unvaccinated and vaccinated residents in public indoor spaces.”
With $957,816 in grant funds, SJBPH has about $41 per eligible, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated person to spend on its education and outreach efforts in the two counties.
The majority of the sum, $911,847, is from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. That money will be used to increase the overall vaccination rates in La Plata and Archuleta counties.
The Caring for Colorado Foundation granted SJBPH an additional $45,969 to focus on equity. This money will make sure vaccines and information reach young people in low income, minority, disabled and other underserved populations in both Archuleta and La Plata counties.
Using the federal funds, SJBPH and its local partners plan to conduct more community outreach with “underserved and target populations,” according to the news release.
The groups include anyone who faces barriers to vaccine access and information, including minority communities, people with disabilities, seniors, homebound individuals and geographically isolated populations, said Chandler Griffin, SJBPH spokesman.
The SJBPH outreach team has already been to farmers markets, flea markets, granges, the True West Roundup, the designated homeless camp at Purple Cliffs, Manna and other locations to offer vaccine information, Griffin said.
SJBPH is also increasing its outreach capacity by hiring staff members, partnering with local organizations and increasing the budget allotted to its vaccine program.
Both Compañeros, Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center, and the La Plata Family Centers Coalition will receive $24,000 each from the federal funds to help with the outreach and equity efforts.
Using the HRSA federal grant, the health department can also award local mini-grants to other community partners through an application process, Griffin said.
The health department will gather data to track its progress along the way, he said.
“We must work together to ensure that all community members of La Plata and Archuleta counties are educated about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine in slowing down the impact this virus is having on our communities,” said Denise Herrera, La Plata Family Center Coalition parent leader.
There are numerous vaccine providers in La Plata and Archuleta counties, and SJBPH is now offering clinics six days per week.
Although advance registration is preferred, walk-ins are also welcome at upcoming clinics. The vaccine is free, and no ID is required. The full schedule of vaccine clinics, pop-ups, and mobile clinics is available online at www.sjbpublichealth.org.
smullane@durangoherald.com
