Marin City getting results from big vaccination push
Community organizes effort to help residents get shots
Health officials and community leaders in Marin City are moving the needle on coronavirus vaccination rates.
Nationwide, there have been reports that Black and Latino communities are hesitant to get the vaccine, but it might just be a matter of providing equitable access and reliable information, said Felecia Gaston, founder of the Performing Stars arts nonprofit.
Gaston said the community has made use of a $20,000 grant provided through the statewide “Together Toward Health” program, which aims to provide information to people who are wary of immunization. The county also provided a $10,000 grant.
Gaston said a number of organizations — including the Marin City Health and Wellness Center, the Marin City Community Services District and the First Missionary Baptist Church — have formed a de facto “Marin City outbreak team” to advise residents about inoculation.
“There a lot of people who want the vaccine and there are some people who are hesitant,” she said. “So we directed them to the right people so their questions can be answered. The ‘vaccine buddy’ program grew out of that.”
Anne Devero-Rosenfeld, a volunteer with the buddy program, said she and seven other volunteers help people who don’t have a cellphone or internet access to register for vaccines.
They also provide rides to vaccination sites, answer concerns and provide bags with a can of soup, a thermos and a bowl.
“We love it,” DeveroRosenfeld said. “People down here are so appreciative. This morning was filled with people waiting in line. We had music and snacks. It was like a party because Marin City is such a strong community that looks out for one another.”
Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County’s public health officer, said Marin City has had 111 COVID-19 cases. He said at least 900 out of about 3,000 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.
“Vaccination rates among African Americans are the same or higher as other groups in that community,” Willis said.
Marin City is ethnically diverse, he said, consisting of 26% Latino residents, 29% White residents, 23% Black residents, 7% Asian residents and about 15% multi-race residents. Willis said Black residents in Marin City have a coronavirus infection rate of about 3.8%, compared with about 5.1% statewide.
Dr. Harold Wallace, chief executive officer of the Marin City Health and Wellness Center, said the staff is committed to making sure the remaining 70% of residents get vaccinated. But tracking immunization rates is difficult, he said.
“It’s still hard to say because there are other locations for them to go get vaccinated,” Wallace said. “At this location, we’ve given out about 570 vaccines to this point.”
He said the rate of vaccination for residents 65 and older is greater than that of the general population.
“Over 80% of that population has been vaccinated,” he said. “So within that tier group, I think we’ve been successful.”
Ramona Banks, a Marin City resident, walked from her home to the health center for her second vaccine dose. She said she overcame her initial fears.
“The hesitation was, I don’t go anywhere, I am not associated with a bunch of people, so it wasn’t an issue,” Banks said. “But when I saw the numbers and death toll climbing, I said, let’s get it out of the way.”
She said that apart from a sore arm she has not had any side effects.
“I loved it because it was easy access,” she said.
Renato Isip, 70, said he lives in Mill Valley but came to Marin City because his doctor works at the health center. Isip said he hasn’t experienced side effects and came back to take his second dose.
“This virus is not a joke,” he said. “If people don’t want it, that’s their problem, but I’m doing it for my safety and for my friends and family. I don’t want to be blamed because I didn’t take the shot.”