How Do We Vaccinate People Who Don’t Come to Get the Shot?

Public health leaders expect the pace of COVID-19 vaccine administration will speed up as more vaccine becomes available and more vaccine sites are established. They think most New Jerseyans will get their shots at mega-sites, hospital or healthcare system-based sites, or retail outlets like CVS pharmacies and Shoprite supermarkets.

Less clear, however, is how they can make sure hard-to-reach people — older adults without transportation, those experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers and those who are undocumented — will be vaccinated. These are people most likely to be in racial/ethnic and income groups hit hardest by the virus.

In a commentary for Nj.com,  Bob Atkins, Director of New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), an associate professor of nursing and childhood studies at Rutgers University and a former school nurse, shared his perspective as a COVID-19 volunteer vaccinator and how NJHI is working with state leaders to design a multi-faceted strategy to vaccinate hard-to-reach New Jerseyans through our years-long relationships with local health departments, and by relying on trusted community-based organizations, their partners, resident-leaders and medical personnel.

To read the full Op-Ed, click here