PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Health Department has been working hard to get more Hispanic community members vaccinated. They realized that this group was not getting enough vaccinations, so they launched a focused initiative to address the issue.
During a recent meeting, public health nurse Patricia Tremblay and community health worker Gabrielle DiMassimo shared their successes in reaching out to the Hispanic community about vaccinations. This season, they administered 74 doses to Hispanic residents, a significant rise from just 14 doses the previous year.
While these numbers may seem small, they represent important progress. Tremblay noted, “It’s not significant maybe, but it’s important.” DiMassimo described the steps taken to overcome vaccination hesitancy, including focus groups and surveys to understand community concerns better. They worked to increase the number of vaccination clinics and tailored messages specifically for the Hispanic population.
Chair Roberta Elliott praised their efforts, highlighting their thoughtful approach and execution. In the summer of 2023, the health department discovered that only 4.75% of Hispanic residents in the county were vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. They found that misinformation, fear, and lack of knowledge about vaccines were significant barriers.
This initiative was funded with about $20,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act. Data from the Massachusetts Department of Health indicated that Hispanic residents were visiting emergency departments more frequently for COVID-19 and flu than their non-Hispanic counterparts. DiMassimo pointed out that this could be linked to lower vaccination rates, potentially leading to more severe illness.
The health department conducted three focus groups in June with residents connected through local organizations. They asked about vaccine concerns, past experiences, and challenges in accessing clinics. The results showed that 95% of participants hesitated due to misinformation and fear, but 78% had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine due to work or travel needs.
To improve outreach, the health department put up three informative billboards across the city. They also held five special clinics during Hispanic Heritage Month, where they administered 43 doses to Hispanic residents, compared to over 130 for the general population. Overall, 74 doses for the Hispanic community marked a significant increase from past seasons, driven by incentives like free meals and giveaway bags.
Tremblay clarified that the total does not equal 74 unique individuals, as many received both vaccinations. She emphasized that while the data may not show drastic changes, they gained valuable insights through the initiative. Feedback from surveys indicated that 72% of respondents felt confident about vaccinations, 83% were motivated by health and safety, and 97% planned to get vaccinated in the future. Nearly all reported a positive experience.
So far this season, the health department has successfully vaccinated over 610 residents, a notable increase from 260 the previous year.
