Vaccine activist aims to bring ‘Vaccine Sunday’ to churches across the state
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO)- A Latino community activist in Colorado Springs is working with the Governor's equity team to create 'vaccine Sunday.' -- alongside the governor's equity team. The idea is to get the lagging vaccine rates up for Southern Colorado's Hispanic populations.
The number one problem is still fear of getting vaccinated. But community activist Julissa Soto is on a mission to preach her message of safety at churches across the state.
She's known for being at the forefront of educating the Latin community on the vaccine -- last weekend she spoke at a church in Fort Morgan about the benefits of getting the vaccine.
"The people were very attentive and they understood why I was there talking to them about Covid," said Soto.
Soto said she arrived in the United States about 22 years ago in the trunk of a car, undocumented from Mexico, which is why she understands the fear of some undocumented migrants when it comes to healthcare and why she has brought vaccination clinics to Latin communities for months.
Soto works with getting those interested in getting vaccinated to a clinic or bringing the clinic to the community. Just a week ago, she was at the forefront of 'Shots for Cuts' a community event where they offered a free haircut as an incentive to get vaccinated. About 249 people got vaccinated that day.
But even though the information and research are out there, one soldier, who asked to remain anonymous, is fearful of having to get the vaccine in September.
"After 17 years of service, there has never been anything so forceful like getting this shot … I have spoken to people whose relatives have died after taking the shot. The commanders have already warned us regarding the vaccine mandates," the soldier said.
One Colorado Springs resident said a friend of hers claimed her arm became magnetic to metal objects after the shot. No research has shown that to be the truth. But even though she was fearful of the vaccine, she chose to get it anyway because she owns a daycare center.
"I didn't want to contract the virus and affect the kids I work with," said Angelica Maria Rodriguez.
With the Delta variant affecting several people, Soto looks to give her message at Catholic churches in Colorado Springs, such as San Dominic and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Colorado Catholic Diocese has expressed it's a personal matter, but they're committed to working with public health.
