How the Syracuse Community Health Center Provides Equitable Vaccine Access to Groups in Need Equitable Vaccination in Syracuse

THE SYRACUSE COMMUNITY HEALTH’S CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER DERRICK MURRY WANTS TO END A VACCINE APARTHEID
MURRAY SAYS FIXING THE DISPARITY IN VACCINATION RATES BETWEEN WHITE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR STARTS WITH…

{***SOT FULL***}
(CG: xxx)
[TAKE SOT
INCUE:REEDUCATING
OUTCUE:VACCINATED
DURATION:0’18”]
(“REEDUCATING, PROVIDING INFORMATION, BUILDING TRUST. BEING A TRUSTED MESSENGER- THAT’S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. BEING SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO WALK THE WALK, TALK THE TALK, MEET PEOPLE AT THE STREET CORNER, IN THE BODEGAS, IN THE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THEY FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE AND TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING VACCINATED”)

(Track 2)

OF THIS DEMOGRAPHIC, 60 PER CENT RECEIVE MEDICAID.
MURRY SAYS,

{***SOT FULL***}
(CG: xxx )
[TAKE SOT
INCUE:WE HAVE
OUTCUE:HELP THEM
DURATION:0’13”]
(“WE HAVE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM. WE HAVE TO BE THERE. WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SHOW UP. WE HAVE TO DO SIX TO EIGHT PROGRAMS IN THE SUMMER AND REACH THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND BRING ANY NUMBER OF INDUCEMENTS TO HELP THEM.”)

MURRY HELPED BY ARRANGING CONCERTS, GIVING AWAY TVS, AND GIVING MONEY TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR…
A PRICE MURRY SAYS HE HAS TO PAY TO PREVENT AVOIDABLE DEATHS, LIKE THAT OF HIS COUSIN…
WHO DIED OF COVID-19 AFTER REFUSING THE VACCINE.
MURRY SAYS THAT ULTIMATELY…

{***SOT FULL***}
(CG: xxx )
[TAKE SOT
INCUE:IT’S A
OUTCUE:HATS ON
DURATION:0’16”]
(“IT’S A REAL PRIVILEGE TO DO WHAT WE DO. TAKE CARE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT SEEK CARE, MIGHT NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE SEEKING CARE. SO WHEN I COME TO WORK EVERY DAY AND WHEN MY COLLEAGUES COME TO WORK EVERY DAY, THAT’S SOMETHING WE CAN HANG OUR HATS ON.”)

LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF BLACK NEW YORKERS ARE FULLY-VACCINATED…
A NUMBER MURRY SAYS HE INCREASED ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

“COLIN BOCK… N-C-C News”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Syracuse Community Health Center, located on Salina St., made headlines last year for becoming the first drive-thru coronavirus-testing center in the United States. Now, after a year of research and investment in equitable vaccination methods, Chief Business Development Officer Derrick Murry has successfully vaccinated thousands of marginalized groups.

This year, Murry lost his cousin, a Louisiana-based nurse, to coronavirus-related complications. According to Murry, she refused the coronavirus vaccine. Now, Murry has made it his goal to prevent avoidable deaths through a creative and accommodating approach, stating, “we have to be there. We have to be willing to show up. We have to do six to eight programs in the summer and reach [people] where they are and bring any number of inducements to help them.” These inducements range from monetary give-aways, TV raffles, and even live music.

By making a tangible effort to reach marginalized and at-risk groups, Murry says he is, “building trust. Being a trusted messenger.” Murry says he builds trust and informs the community by, “being someone who is willing to walk the walk, talk the talk, meet people at the street corner, in the Bodegas, and in the environments where they feel most comfortable and talking about the importance of being vaccinated.”

Murry hopes to increase statewide vaccination rates. As of today, less than 50% of the black New York community is fully-vaccinated- a mark more than 10% lower than their white counterparts. While Murry couldn’t provide a magic number, he said he wants to increase vaccination rates, “one person at a time.”

The progress hasn’t always been palpable, but for Murry, it means perpetuating admirable work. Murry claimed, “it’s a real privilege to do what we do. To take care of individuals who otherwise might not seek care, might not feel comfortable seeking care. So when I come to work every day,” Murray asserts, “that’s something I hang my hat on.”

As for next year, Murry forecasts the coronavirus becoming endemic, almost like the flu. Until then, Murry claims, he wants nothing more than for everyone to do their part. With his transformative efforts, it’s safe to say, New York might bounce back.

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