Equity clinic coming to Southeast Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Fewer than four out of ten people in the Colorado Hispanic community now have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and one community leader who has been an advocate for the Hispanic population to get vaccinated is bringing another equity clinic to southern Colorado next month. That's less than have the percentage of the overall population.
The upcoming clinic is one of the new solutions to boost the number of Southern Colorado Latinos getting vaccinated.
"My numbers are hundreds every time we organize this clinic, I believe this is a high need," added Julissa Soto, an independent health equity consultant.
According to public health data, 38.94% of Hispanics in Colorado have received at least one dose of a covid vaccine. That is the lowest percentage of all demographic groups in the state.
"I believe this is a high need, my community has spoken up and they say that they want to be approached with dignity and respect, they also want to be approached in after-hour settings with culturally relevant messages and that is what we are bringing to them," added Soto.
Soto, a vaccine activist, has been at the forefront of pushing the knowledge of the vaccine to Latino populations and bringing the shot to several communities across the state, including southeast Colorado Springs. She says her reason to continue these equity clinics is that she believes they are working slowly but surely.
"In any given weekend, I am vaccinating between 1,000 and 1,200, immigrant Latinos -- I am getting those who were reluctant to get their vaccines, but now they have changed their mind, they see me every weekend," said Soto.
Her passion and persistence to help those who may have trouble accessing healthcare, are uninsured, or are just simply scared due to their lack of knowledge is what pushes her to continue this work.
The new community effort equity clinic will be at Sand Creek Library on Sunday, March 6th, when they will be offering all covid vaccines for kids and adults. Rides will also be available for seniors and those with disabilities.
