SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Black communities are getting the coronavirus vaccine at a slower rate than others in New Jersey, and Gov. Phil Murphy aims to close that gap.
At a digital roundtable discussion, he asked Lt. Gov. Shelia Oliver how they can build vaccine confidence among Black residents and increase participation.
“We should embrace non-traditional ways of bringing vaccine to people at the community grass-roots level,” she said, meaning having a presence at churches, barbershops and hair salons so people don’t have to rely on mass transit or venture too far from home to visit one of the state’s mega-sites.
She said one key factor to reaching more Black residents, particularly elderly ones, is to be where they are.
“I think we’re going to have to do things like where there are congregate living centers, where there are senior citizen buildings. Just like we did with testing, we’re going to have to go to those buildings and replicate that as well,” Oliver added.
It’s no secret, either, that older people are less inclined to register for the vaccine online, so getting shots into their arms requires a little more legwork. Murphy is proud of New Jersey’s efforts, but there’s a long way to go.
“I would put us up against any state in how we’re purpose-built in an inclusive and equitable system for vaccines, but we are far from where we need to be, want to be, or will be,” he said.
Murphy said partnerships with Rite Aid and CVS pharmacies will provide vaccines, which will also increase vaccine availability across more neighborhoods.