SCSU-BASED ORGANIZATION OBTAINS $180,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO LEAD COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON FLU VACCINE

 

For Immediate Release Contact:

10/01/20 Joe Musante, Media Relations

SCSU-BASED ORGANIZATION OBTAINS $180,000 FEDERAL GRANT

           TO LEAD COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON FLU VACCINE

NEW HAVEN – An organization housed at Southern Connecticut State University has earned a federal grant of nearly $180,000 to lead a community effort encouraging New Haven residents to get a flu vaccination in the coming months.

The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE), in partnership with the New Haven Health Department, Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Yale Medical School, recently was awarded the grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The initiative will focus on racial and ethnic minority communities within New Haven.

“This year, it is more important than ever for New Haven residents to get the flu vaccine, especially in communities of color, where vaccination rates tend to be lower,” said CARE Director Alycia Santilli.

“There is so much misinformation about vaccinations,” Santilli said. “People are skeptical, and it is hard to figure out what to believe. This funding from the CDC allows us to train trusted messengers from the community with science-based, factual information about flu vaccinations so that people can make informed decisions for themselves and their families. 

“The flu vaccine prevents many people from getting the flu and also reduces the severity of symptoms if infected,” she said. “This is particularly important this year to help ease the burden on our healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

CARE will lead an effort to publicize the various flu vaccine clinics across New Haven, and the funding will bring additional mobile flu vaccine clinics to high-risk communities.

The organization will support vaccine education by training outreach workers who are trusted in the community to communicate the importance of getting vaccinated, according to Santilli. In turn, those outreach workers will engage neighborhood groups, as well as speak at faith-based venues, food pantries, senior housing, community events, COVID-19 testing sites, and small businesses like beauty salons and barber shops. 

CARE staff members also will work closely with outreach workers, community health workers and patient navigators from partner organizations. They also are supporting efforts of the Yale School of Medicine community health care van and the Yale-New Haven Hospital mobile healthcare vans to expand flu vaccine clinics.

New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond said she is pleased to see the collaborative efforts among community partners that aim to prevent the spread of the flu. She is encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

“The flu vaccine causes antibodies to develop that provide protection from different strains of the flu so that if you do get infected, the symptoms and impact will be lessened,” Bond said.