SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Outreach teams are targeting Camden in an effort to boost the city's lagging COVID-19 vaccination rate.
In Camden, 43% of adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Statewide, the figure is much higher at 59%.
Only 31% of adults in Camden are fully vaccinated, while 47% are statewide.
Camden County is lining up grants to nonprofits and churches to help them canvass areas in Camden where people may be hesitant, according to Camden County Assistant Public Health Coordinator Caryelle Lasher.
She said reasons for hesitancy vary.
Younger people tend to think the perceived risk of the vaccine outweighs the benefit, she said, while older people are concerned with how the vaccine will affect preexisting conditions.
Lasher said being reassured by a trusted community partner is valuable for people of any age.
"Nonprofit organizations, churches, people who are influential in the communities...to have them use their networks to go out and canvass," said Lasher.
Lasher said pop-up block-party style vaccination events may also ease some anxiety.
"Being able to see the person in front of you step up, get the shot and be able to sit down and have a conversation with them, I think, has really helped," she said.
"Have them come to an event that they can benefit, enjoy the family with, and then hopefully get vaccinated. And if not, at least talk to one of our professionals and really explore what the hesitancy is."
Camden is among the towns where the state's COVID-19 Community Corps has been fanning out, said Gov. Phil Murphy.
"The door knocking is the least sexy, but it's sort of a grind-out execution part of this," Murphy said.
"I think we're doing that as well as any state in America."
Lasher said while there's attention on the vaccination rate in Camden City, there are pockets of vaccine hesitancy to be addressed throughout the county.
