WHEREAS, Black and Brown communities have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing higher rates of infection and death throughout the health crisis; and
WHEREAS, According to NPR, rates of vaccination in Black and Brown communities are significantly lower than those in wealthier, whiter areas due to their lack of access, not hesitancy regarding receiving the vaccine; and
WHEREAS, The All Faiths Vaccination Campaigns (AFVC) was created as a cross-sector collaboration between faith groups, healthcare facilities, and city government to end the disparity in vaccination rates amongst minority communities; and
WHEREAS, The campaign has garnered support from Mayor Kenney, who is serving as their honorary Chair; Forum Philly and the National Medical Association are serving as facilitators and coordinators for the AFVC’s Strategic Planning Team; and
WHEREAS, The AFVC intends to disseminate appropriate messaging and media collateral to increase motivation to get vaccinated, host educational forums and town halls by trusted providers, and incentivize residents that are not yet vaccinated to receive the vaccine; and
WHEREAS, The AFVC has partnered with healthcare clinics, creating complementary vaccination sites proximate to where people live, work, fellowship, and recreate; and
WHEREAS, Memorial Day weekend (Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Monday, May 31, 2021) and the weekend of Juneteenth (Friday, June 18, 2021 - Sunday, June 20, 2021) have been designated as the implementation dates for the campaign; and
WHEREAS, Campaign implementation will be targeted toward zip codes that have particularly low vaccination rates, including 19124, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19138, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19151, and 19153; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that the City ensures that underserved Black and Brown communities have access to the COVID-19 vaccine; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby support the All Faiths Vaccination Campaign’s (AFVC) efforts to achieve vaccination equity by hosting vaccination clinics in Philadelphia’s underserved Black and Brown neighborhoods.
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