Syracuse, N.Y. — Local medical, political and religious leaders will host a community forum this week to share information about the Covid-19 vaccine in an effort to increase vaccination rates among Black residents in Central New York.
The event is hosted by Syracuse Community Connections and the National Black Leadership Commission on Health (also known as Black Health). It will target communities in Syracuse and beyond where vaccination rates are especially low and Covid-19 rates are high.
“Black communities in Syracuse and beyond are where Covid cases are highest, and vaccination rates are lowest,” said Denise Welch, associate program manager in Syracuse for Black Health. “As the Delta variant has been spreading throughout our communities, it is essential we seize the opportunity to provide informed and accurate information so people can make informed decisions about protecting their health.”
The forum is Thursday, Sept. 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Syracuse Community Connections (formerly the Southwest Community Center), at 401 South Ave.
It will be live-streamed at facebook.com/natlblackhealth.
Speakers at the event include Dr. Daryll Dykes of Upstate Medical University, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta, Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Common Council President Helen Hudson, members of the Syracuse Covid Task Force and clergy from Victory Temple Fellowship Church.
The forum will provide information about the safety of vaccines and tell people where they can get vaccinated. Owens said the goal is to build trust in the vaccine, especially among Black communities.
“Information is our best tool against misinformation to promote fact-based decision making,” Owens said.
In Syracuse, around 42% of people are fully vaccinated. Countywide, the rate is close to 60%.
Officials are making efforts to increase those rates as infection rates and hospitalizations rise, mostly fueled by the Delta variant.
Syracuse Community Health held a series of “Family Health Gatherings” this summer — concerts coupled with pop-up vaccine clinics.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced earlier this month he would require all 2,400 city employees to get vaccinated or submit to weekly Covid-19 testing. This week, he said he is considering removing the testing option, since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the vaccine full authorization.
