HELP END THE PANDEMIC – GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19

25 May HELP END THE PANDEMIC – GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19

Californians ages 12 and older in California are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.  California is receiving supplies of vaccines each week, and they are free for everyone.

Having widespread delivery of vaccines is our best tool to end the pandemic and more fully open communities and businesses.  Top medical experts have confirmed the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in protecting us from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 if exposed to the virus. 

“With the Governor’s announcement about vaccine eligibility, we are getting closer to putting the pandemic behind us.  Getting vaccinated is the most powerful step you can take to end the pandemic,” said Marsha Mitchell, Director of Communications for Community Coalition (CoCo).  “We urge everyone in South LA to learn more about the vaccines and make their appointment to get one.  The vaccines will protect you and your loved ones and the many people who have worked so hard to keep our communities safe and open.”

For more than 30 years, CoCo has worked with community members in South LA to build leadership, launch action campaigns, and create a unified voice. By working to transform the social and economic conditions that foster inequity and inequality, Community Coalition aims to empower everyday residents to influence and elevate public policy.

Medical experts also want everyone to know that the vaccines do not contain the coronavirus and cannot make anyone sick with COVID-19.  It’s also normal to have some side effects after getting vaccinated, such as a sore arm, fever or feeling tired.  These are signs that the vaccine is working to teach your body how to fight the virus. Not everyone will experience side effects; either way, the vaccines are proven to be safe and highly effective.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been carefully studied for safety.  Before they were released, they were tested in tens of thousands of people of different ages, races, genders, and ethnicities.

There are many benefits to getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including:

• Your chances of being hospitalized with COVID-19 become almost zero.
• You are less likely to pass the virus to the elderly or those with medical conditions, who could get very sick or die from COVID-19.
• COVID-19 cases will drop, and schools and businesses can reopen sooner.
• We can all get back to doing the things we love.

“Community Coalition can help our community learn more about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines so everyone can feel confident about getting vaccinated,” said Linda Gomez-Evans, Civic Engagement Specialist for CoCo.  “The sooner people are vaccinated, the sooner they will be protecting themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. We all want to see our families and communities be safe and healthy.  The COVID-19 vaccines will help us get there.” 

Community Coalition has been deployed both paid and volunteer outreach teams, led by Gomez-Evans, to canvass Black and Latino neighborhoods of South Los Angeles. CoCo’s goal is to knock on every door of every home and apartment across 15 ZIP Codes by June 30.

“We know our community members are eager to get back to the things they love to do as soon as possible,” said Gomez-Evans “The first step to doing that is to get vaccinated.”

To find a free vaccination appointment in our area, go to MyTurn.ca.gov or call California’s COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255.  The hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.