SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Community Bridges and Salud Para La Gente are joining forces in order to help individuals looking to get an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Through Community Bridges’ (CB) bilingual Bridges to Access Vaccine Helpline and Salud Para La Gente’s vaccination clinics, the agencies are aiming to get the vaccine to as many people in the community as possible. CB vaccine helpline staff and volunteers will facilitate vaccine appointments for the public at Salud Para La Gente’s vaccine clinics.
“When we took on this project we set out a goal of ensuring everyone in the community has equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines,” Community Bridges CEO Raymon Cancino said in a press release. “By making the process as simple, painless and easy as possible we are eliminating the barriers caused by technological access and language. With our Bridges to Access Vaccine Helpline and Salud Para La Gente’s vaccine clinics we are one step closer to achieving that goal.”
Dori Rose Inda, Chief Executive Officer of Salud Para La Gente, says the collaboration will “help ensure vaccine equity and that our most vulnerable populations have access to the COVID-19 vaccine sooner than later. According to the latest data provided by the California Department of Public Health, there have been 263,597 vaccines administered to Santa Cruz County residents. About 40% of residents have been fully vaccinated and about 57% have received at least one dose.
“The more people get vaccinated, the closer we are to reaching herd immunity and getting back to normal,” Cancino said.
Eligible residents in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties can call the Bridges to Access Vaccine Helpline at (831) 219-8607. Spanish and English translation is available, and a team member will return phone calls within 48 hours.
Contact Salud Para La Gente directly by phone at (831) 728-0222 (choose option 7) or by texting VAX to (831) 728-0222. Language Services include Spanish, Mixteco, and English.
