Urban League offers gift cards to boost lagging vaccinations
As COVID-19 infections in Indiana begin rising again, a new program offers a $50 grocery store gift card for Northwest Indiana residents who can show proof of being fully vaccinated between July 1 and July 31.
The Urban League of Northwest Indiana is launching the new vaccination campaign with a grant from the Legacy Foundation, targeting residents in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.
Partners include Community HealthNet Health Centers and Community Advocates of Northern Indiana. The gift card is from Strack and Van Til.
“Statistics show that communities of color are hesitant to get vaccinated for various reasons,” said Vanessa Allen-McCloud, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of NWI.
“Our campaign will provide the education, resources and incentive that we hope will lead to more people in our neighborhoods getting vaccinated.”
Allen-McCloud said she applied for the Legacy grant and then matched it with Urban League funds to increase the area’s vaccination rate.
“We had low responses at the site at Roosevelt and I know the importance of getting the vaccine. Legacy is a good community partner,” she said.
Allen-McCloud said the Strack’s gift card can be redeemed at the Urban League office, 3101 Broadway in Gary. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays. She said cards are available for children 12-and-above who receive a vaccination, as well, but just one gift card per family will be given out. She hopes to give out at least 30 gift cards.
As of Thursday, Lake County’s vaccination rate was 43%; Porter and LaPorte counties, both at 47%. Indiana’s vaccination rate was 42.8% and it’s been dropping since April, compared to 48.2% for the U.S.
At 67%, whites in Indiana are far more likely to be vaccinated than Blacks and Hispanics. State data shows just 16.8% of Blacks are fully vaccinated in Indiana. About 15% of Hispanics are fully vaccinated.
State and federal authorities held a mass vaccination clinic in the parking lot at Gary Roosevelt High School from April to June to boost the vaccination rate. The average vaccination rate in Gary ZIP codes is still about 29%, leaving its residents vulnerable to infections as variant cases increase.
COVID -19 vaccines are widely available and Community HealthNet Health Centers offers vaccinations at various locations throughout Lake County.
“The more accurate information we can share about COVID-19 vaccinations, the greater the chance that people will go ahead and get their shots,” said Dr. Janet Seabrook, chief executive officer of Community HealthNet. For more information about the campaign, call the Urban League of NWI at 219-887-9621.
To make a vaccine appointment, contact Community HealthNet Health Centers at 219-880-1190.