City launches clinics to vaccinate restaurant, front-line workers
Mayor: Diners will feel it’s ‘safe to come back’
STAMFORD — The goal, the mayor said, is to make getting vaccinated “as simple as possible” for people like restaurant and grocery workers.
The city on Friday announced a string of coronavirus vaccine clinics, all dedicated to small businesses and the region’s frontline workers. The first clinic in the series — housed at the Stamford Government Center — is set for April 13.
The program is part of a larger push from the city and other healthcare providers to build confidence in the vaccine by holding small clinics for targeted communities. The local
Department of Health and Stamford Health partnered together when vaccines first became more widespread for its “No Barriers” initiative — a pathway for non-English speakers and undocumented individuals to get the shot.
Since then, a number of more intimate vaccine events, including ones at affordable housing complexes like Bayview Towers and Rippowam Park, have popped up around the city. Especially in marginalized communities, Mayor David Martin said he sees these micro-sites as away to build enthusiasm for and confidence in the vaccine.
“We know from direct observation, that when people see their colleagues or their neighbors also getting the vaccine, they’re much more willing to come out and get it,” he told The Stamford Advocate. At Bayview Towers, Martin said many of the residents were reluctant at first, but having a clinic right in the building lowered the stakes.
“They’d just come downstairs and get the vaccination. And then they saw their neighbors going to get the vaccination,” he said. Instead of a clinic, it became an event. Now, the mayor wants to replicate the same formula for frontline workers.
“Without it, you’ll still get some restaurant workers or grocery workers or salon workers,” he added. “But this is designed to accelerate their participation and enable them to get it done. Make it as simple as possible.”
The first clinic, set for 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, is meant to vaccinate restaurant workers specifically, according to Economic Development Director Thomas Madden. And while launching the clinic helps keep vulnerable workers safe from the COVID-19, it also creates a value proposition for consumers in Stamford.
“(It) basically gives people the confidence that these restaurants have workers who are vaccinated. It is safe to come back,” Martin said. “If you had the confidence that everywhere you went, everybody is vaccinated — that recovery will happen faster and stronger.”
Martin hopes to vaccinate as many frontline workers as possible before the summer months, when outdoor dining will be in full swing and events might start once more. So far, the city has scheduled at least three vaccine clinics at the government center. Madden expects each to vaccinate about 300 essential workers — hopefully with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, even though the supply chain will significantly drop off next week.
The city is accepting bookings for its clinic on April 20.
Out of state, non-resident and undocumented employees can all receive the vaccine through the city’s clinic. Insurance is not required. Any small business that wants to participate can email Thomas Madden at tmadden@stamfordct.gov for more information.