Bronx Health REACH/The Institute for Family Health Launches Influenza Vaccination Month in the Bronx with Flu Vaccine Clinic at Church of God of Prophecy

December 01, 2020

Speakers at the launch of Influenza Vaccination Month in the Bronx: Bishop Earl W. McKay, Reverend, Pastor of Church of God of Prophecy, Imaam Thomas Abdul Azeez Manning, AL-Masjidu, Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, Moria Byrne-Zaaloff, Bronx Health REACH/Institute for Family Health, Anita Reyes/Executive Director/Bronx District Public Health Office/NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

 

On Tuesday, December 1, Bronx Health REACH/The Institute for Family Health launched the Bronx Flu Fighters campaign to increase flu vaccination rates in the Bronx. This month long effort is an extension of the one week-National Flu Vaccination Week which is from December 6-12.

The launch took place at Church of God of Prophecy, where, in collaboration with Walgreens, flu vaccines will be offered to Bronx residents.

Bronx Health REACH/The Institute for Family Health is dedicating the entire month of December to promoting flu vaccinations in the Bronx. In addition to the December 1 event, Bronx residents can get a flu vaccine from the following Bronx Health REACH partners:

Tuesday, December 8 from to 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
New Covenant Christian Ministries, 3601 Eastchester Rd, Bronx, NY 10469

Thursday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
Tremont United Methodist Church, 1951 Washington Ave, Bronx, NY 10457

Thursday, December 17 and Friday December 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
Walker Memorial Baptist Church, 120 East 169th St, Bronx, NY 10452

In communities where health disparities and mistrust in our healthcare system is high, less than half of Black/African-American and Latinx population in the Bronx currently receive the flu shot. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, a severe flu season could be devastating to Bronx residents, many of whom have underlying health conditions. If more people get the flu shot, the community will be safer and healthier.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccine to reduce your chances of getting sick and needing medical attention for flu-related symptoms. I want to thank Bronx Health REACH for launching their ‘December is Bronx Flu Fighters month’ initiative as well as Walgreens for their continuous work in bringing needed health resources to our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“Working together with faith based partners and community organizations is essential in our fight to combat COVID-19 and in ensuring the health and wellness of our residents,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “Too often barriers are placed that prohibits residents from accessing essential care, but the launch of the Bronx Flu Fighters is the first step in providing access to the flu shot for our most at risk and vulnerable populations. I want to thank Bronx Health REACH/ the Institute for Family Health, Walgreens, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Church of God of Prophecy for their partnership and commitment to serving the residents of the Bronx.”

“Getting the flu vaccine this year is more important than ever,” said Neil Calman, MD, President and CEO of the Institute for Family Health. “People really need to stay healthy to protect themselves against the Coronavirus. I think it’s fantastic that so many partners are helping to make the vaccine so easy for people to obtain.”

“Our faith based partners and community organizations that form the Bronx Health REACH Coalition have collaborated with us for over twenty years as we continue our work to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the Bronx,” remarked Charmaine Ruddock, Project Director for Bronx Health REACH. “Once again they join us to ensure that Bronx residents get vaccinated against the flu to help them maintain optimum health.”

“We applaud the flu vaccine clinics that will be launching in December in collaboration with The Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH and other community partners who are at the forefront providing flu vaccinations to Bronx residents,” said Bishop Earl W. McKay, Church of God of Prophecy.

“Working with community organizations like Bronx Health REACH allows us to increase access to one of the most basic health services that is also one of the most critical during the COVID-19 pandemic—getting a flu shot,” said Nathalie Maxemous, Healthcare Supervisor, Eastern Operations for Walgreens. “Together, everyone can do their part to get vaccinated against the flu to help protect the health and wellbeing of themselves and their communities.

“By offering flu vaccinations to Bronx residents we will be limiting the dual epidemics of influenza and COVID-19 in the months ahead,” said Eugene Schiff, MD, Clinical Director of Adult and Childhood Vaccines, The Institute for Family Health.

At the December 1st event, in collaboration with Walgreens, community members were invited to get their flu shot. Vaccination events will be held at various locations between now and the end of March. To learn of Bronx Health REACH sponsored flu events, please contact Moria Byrne-Zaaloff at mbyrne-zaaloff@institute.org. Click here to learn where New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene sponsored flu events will be or visit: nyc.gov/flu, or call 311 or text “flu” to 877877.