In this week’s episode of The Check In, Spanish-language reporter Daniel Parra discusses the frustration New York’s farmworkers feel about being treated like “third-class essential workers” when it comes to getting access to vaccinations.
‘When vulnerable populations were reluctant to participate in the census, the city and state spent tens of millions of dollars on public outreach and education. They should use the same playbook now to fund initiatives that disseminate information about vaccine efficacy and safety.’
Earlier this month, the state began vaccinating incarcerated people 65 and older. But advocates, as well as local officials who run the city’s jails, want eligibility expanded to include all inmates, citing the extra risks posed by correctional facilities.
Several Republican critics of the governor (and one of his Democratic allies) are pushing legislation that could undermine efforts to achieve broad immunity to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
On Feb. 9, President Biden announced the immunization program for community health centers (FQHC), which includes farmworkers, but the governor has not yet included them in the immunization rollout.
Those who are eligible for vaccination because of their jobs must present documentation of their work, like an ID card, a letter from their employer or a pay stub—what one advocates calls ‘an unnecessary and insurmountable barrier,’ for those who lack work authorization.
Half of the detainees refused to receive the vaccine, with some complaining that they were not given any information about the shot they were offered.
Demographic data released by the city on Sunday reinforced concerns that the vaccine rollout effort has not done enough to reach the city’s communities of color ― Black and Latino New Yorkers in particular.
New York expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility this month to residents 65 and up. But getting an appointment has been an “extraordinarily complicated” process for some, marred by supply shortages, technology challenges and mobility barriers in reaching vaccination sites.
In this week’s podcast episode, Managing Editor Jeanmarie Evelly talks with COVID-19 reporter Nicole Javorsky about the latest with New York’s vaccination efforts.