‘To improve health equity overall’

Forum to address vaccine questions

TORRINGTON — The goal is to have an open dialogue about COVID-19 vaccines.

To accomplish that, an “education conversation” program organized by Hartford HealthCare for residents with questions on the COVID-19 vaccine will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Workman AME Zion Church.

Brian Mattiello, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s regional vice president of strategy and community development, will lead the conversation, which will provide information on the PfizerBioNTech vaccine.

Matiello said the program is intended as a stepping stone to improve health equity overall in the city.

“Hartford HealthCare is being perfectly clear — while vaccine is the occasion, the real objective

here is to improve health equity overall,” he said. “I’m very proud of my employer and what they’re asking me to do.”

The program’s goal, according to the hospital, is to reach all residents of Torrington and Winsted, and the event will be shared on Facebook.

Matiello said the talk will have three parts.

“The first is to speak about the vaccination as a whole, and use that occasion as an opening to discuss honestly where the science is regarding the vaccine, as well as the history of helping people of color,” he said.

“We want to have an open, honest dialogue, answer questions and help build greater confidence.”

The second part of the talk is logistics, Matiello said.

“What can I expect, what to expect after (receiving the vaccine),” he said.

Matiello said the third segment “is just a Q&A about relationships beyond just vaccination.”

“It’s a way to use this occasion as a launch pad to improve dynamics as best we can,” he said.

The director said Hartford HealthCare reached out to AME Zion to ask the church to participate. “They’re doing a Facebook Live, and having a call-in number,” Matiello said.

This week, Hartford Healthcare announced that its COVID-19 vaccine and testing hours have changed. Visit www.charlotte hungerford.org for the latest updates.

Hartford HealthCare Vaccination Center at the Torrington Armory, 153 S. Main St., is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is closed Sundays.

All vaccinations are by appointment; no walk-in appointments are available.

Starting Monday, the state expanded its guidelines of who can receive the vaccine to include people 55 years of age and older, and educators and child care providers. Hartford Healthcare has vaccinated more than 80,000 people in Connecticut, with more than 130,000 first and second doses administered to date, hospital officials said.

For help making an appointment or to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Hartford HealthCare Access Center at 860-827-7690 or 833943-5721. For the most up-to-date information and scheduling help visit Hartfordhealthcare.org /vaccine .

The Hartford HealthCare Testing Center, 211 High St., Torrington, is open 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8 am. to noon Saturdays.

According to the hospital, this testing is for patients who are experiencing symptoms and may have possible exposure. The tests are done so patients do not leave their vehicles. The testing can accommodate adults and children of all ages, when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. After testing, patients are given follow-up instructions and information about selfisolation. Patients receive their results online through MyChart.

For faster testing, patients are encouraged to get a doctor’s referral. Those without a doctor can call the Hartford HealthCare Community Care Center at 833-6210600 for assistance.

Hartford Healthcare offers drive-up testing centers at locations across the state including Bridgeport, Hartford, Meriden, Norwich, Torrington, Willimantic and Windsor Locks. Also offered is same-day COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing at all Hartford HealthCare GoHealth urgent care centers and COVID-19 rapid testing at select centers. Visit dedicated coronavirus websites in English at www.hartfordhealthcare.org/coronavirus and Spanish at https://espanol.hartfordhealthcare.org/pacientes -y-visitas/coronaviruscovid-19

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital / Contributed photo / Members with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine are invited to an conversation Wednesday at Workman AME Zion Church. The program was organized by Hartford HealthCare and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.