Local non-profit to receive nearly $1M to conduct COVID-19 vaccine education, outreach

By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer

The Biden-Harris administration recently announced it will provide $121 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support community-based efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved areas. New Orleans-based non-profit Brotherhood Inc. is one of those organizations and is set to receive $984,775.

“It means a lot to the agency in that it’s going to help us expand what we do,” said Mark E. Johnson, executive director of Brotherhood, Inc.

Johnson said Brotherhood Inc. plans to set up meetings in various communities within an eight-parish region including Orleans Parish and other surrounding parishes. They will partner with existing community agencies and churches in each parish to host informational seminars where they explain the vaccine, its benefits, and how it can protect people and their loved ones. They will also educate people about how COVID can have long-term health effects even if it does not kill you.

“We’re not screaming at them. We’re not hollering at them,” Johnson said. “We’re asking them to come out and let us show them the benefits of getting vaccinated.”

Johnson added that they intend to offer stipends in the form of supermarket gift cards to those who attend the meetings. In addition to this, they intend to offer transportation services to take people to and from vaccine appointments for those unable to drive themselves. If a Brotherhood, Inc. staffer is not available to drive, they will pay for a ride-sharing service.

Messaging at the meetings will be tailored to the specific communities. Johnson said if it’s an area where people speak Spanish or Vietnamese, there will be bilingual information available.

“We realize the importance of trying to get individuals of marginalized areas and groups to get vaccinated to offset the problems COVID is presenting in these communities,” Johnson said.

The money from the American Rescue Plan will help Brotherhood Inc. employ several new full-time employees, as well as launch a media campaign on social media, radio, television and billboards.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” Johnson said.

In a press release, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) echoed Johnson’s sentiments about the importance of local messengers delivering information about COVID-19 vaccines.

“We understand the important role trusted messengers in local communities play to help people make informed health care decisions, including whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the press release. “Today’s investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to strengthen equity and support organizations that focus on underserved communities as they work to increase vaccinations and keep people safe and healthy.”

As of July 29, only 41.8 percent of Louisiana residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. July 29 data from the Louisiana Department of Health stated that 1,620 COVID patients were in Louisiana hospitals and 162 were on ventilators. 10,968 Louisianans have died of COVID-19 since March 2020. Louisiana currently has the third lowest vaccination rate in the country, ahead of only Idaho and Mississippi. Children under age 12 are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine. Louisianans seeking assistance in finding vaccines in their community can call 1-855-453-0774.

This article originally published in the August 2, 2021 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.