State Rep. Kara Rochelle announced Thursday that three walk-up vaccination clinics are scheduled for Ansonia and Derby residents.
No appointments are needed.
The clinics will administer the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Residents of Ansonia and Derby must bring photo ID and proof of residence. Insurance is not required, but residents who have insurance should bring their insurance card. Vaccines will be administered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
There is no charge.
The clinics, which are being held in conjunction with Griffin Hospital, are scheduled for:
Monday, April 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos, 101 Elizabeth St., Derby
Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, 28 Howard Ave., Ansonia
Friday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries, 195 N. Main St., Ansonia
The clinics are happening because vaccination rates in Ansonia and Derby have lagged behind much of Connecticut over the last month.
There is no definitive answer as to why.
Officials from the Naugatuck Valley Health District believe it’s a combination of factors, including a lack of transportation, a lack of awareness, a lack of accurate vaccine information, and, in Ansonia, perhaps a younger demographic who just became eligible to be vaccinated.
Since Ansonia and Derby vaccinations have been lagging, the idea is to bring the shots directly into neighborhoods.
“These clinics are a way for residents who are having difficulty accessing transportation or securing an appointment to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” Rochelle said in a prepared statement. The most important part of moving the Valley forward from the pandemic is ensuring our friends and neighbors can protect themselves against the virus.”
In her statement, Rochelle said the clinics are a team effort.
She thanked Griffin Hospital, along with Pastor Ulysses and Leslie Youngblood from Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries and the Life, Health and Wellness Center; Pastor Dennis Maroquin of Iglesia de Dios Nuevos Comienzos in Derby, and; Breon Sanders, Unit Director for the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Residents who may have questions about the safety or effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines can reach out to Griffin Hospital 203 – 204-1053 or Rep. Rochelle at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for in-depth information about the vaccine. Additional information about the vaccines is available at https://bit.ly/3tnJuMR.
The news of walk-in vaccination clinics comes after data over the last three weeks showed COVID-19 infection rates higher in the Naugatuck Valley — especially Derby — than in other parts of Connecticut.
New data released Thursday (April 15) from the state shows the per capita infection rates dropping locally:
Ansonia 37.8 (down from 49.2 last Thursday)
Derby 35.4 (down from 59.9)
Seymour 38.1 (down from 51.9)
The Naugatuck Valley Health District is urging the public to continue following COVID-19 protocols — wear a mask, wash your hands, be careful of large crowds. They also want to remind people that the COVID-19 vaccines are designed to prevent serious illness from COVID-19: at this point, vaccinated people can still transmit COVID-19, which puts people who are not vaccinated at risk.
Ansonia city government is working overtime to get their residents vaccinated. Mayor David Cassetti is looking for volunteers to sign up people who have yet to make vaccination appointments. Click here for a press release or check out the image below.
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Donate.ValleyIndy.org during The Great Give May 4 and May 5.
