Getting to “YES” - COVID Vaccination Hesitancy Program at Holy Cross Health Stories from the Field

The COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Program at Broward Regional Health Planning Council engages three community partners; mobilizes community health workers and medical professionals to educate; assists individuals in getting the vaccine and addresses COVID-19 related health disparities and advances health equity. For information, support, and assistance with community resources available to support vaccine access, contact Jasmin D. Shirley, Program Director at (954)561-9681 x 1261 or email Jdshirley@brhpc.org.

BRHPC commends this highly specialized workforce from Holy Cross Health, Memorial Healthcare System and Mount Olive Development Corporation for their partnership, continuous effort in building vaccine confidence amongst communities with the highest rates of hesitancy and for supporting equitable vaccine access to communities facing greatest challenges.

BRHPC is proud to share a story of success from one of our community partners, Holy Cross Health.

Chery, (L) too thought he’d had the shots he needed with his Johnson and Johnson vaccine. He was surprised to learn that a 2nd vaccine was needed to protect him from COVID. A landscaper and 22-year employee, he was pleased to be informed by his HR team and provided with his vaccine at his worksite.

As we are all different, our knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors vary as well. COVID has emphasized our differences in views. It has also brought us together as a caring community. Our efforts in Community Health & Well-Being at Holy Cross strive to educate and inform individuals and provide them with the resources and tools to improve their decision making and well-being. Our outreach efforts to overcome COVID vaccine hesitancy continue in our community.

In the case of Devin, it had taken all her courage to get her one-dose of Johnson and Johnson

vaccine. The thought of getting a second vaccine, or booster overwhelmed and scared her. As she peeked into the room where vaccines were being administered, she went to back up and leave. Instead, the nurse invited her to stay and sit (away from the administration area). Discussing her fears of needles – and deeper fear of hospitalization, she agreed to a Pfizer booster. Before she knew it, the vaccine was given, and she was considered ‘boostered’.

For Ava the situation was different. She had feared getting the vaccine when it came out and decided to, “wait and see”. Two years later, she found herself without health insurance and unable to pay an administration fee. She stated, “I thought I missed my chance.” Today, she received her second vaccine in her primary series.

Contact Holy Cross Health at (954) 542-1654 for more information, questions and to call for your COVID-19 vaccine.