Targeted vaccine clinic for people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS
05/21/2021
The AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, the City of Ottawa and Bruyère is hosting a targeted vaccine clinic for people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS in the Ottawa area this weekend, May 22 and 23 from 9 am to 4 pm, at the Bruyère vaccine clinic located at 75 Bruyère Street.
Racialized and other marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This pandemic has exposed the socioeconomic disparities and health inequities faced by populations at higher risk in our community, including access to vaccines to stay safe and healthy.
Partnerships between community-based organizations, public health and local vaccine clinics reduce barriers for high-risk populations in accessing vaccines. Some identified barriers include language, transportation, technology and vaccine hesitancy due to colonization, historical oppression and structural/systemic racism. When community leaders, public health experts and health care professionals team up to organize a targeted and accessible community vaccine clinic, it can go a long way in facilitating COVID-19 vaccine information, access, comfort and trust. It builds healthier communities especially for people who are most likely to have negative health outcomes from COVID-19.
The AIDS Committee of Ottawa has received an overwhelming response from our community members so far, and the vaccine appointments for this weekend are filling up very quickly. Our community members have expressed appreciation for this clinic, and some have shared that they would not be getting vaccinated otherwise. We strongly feel that public education of these targeted clinics, as a result of strong community partnerships and collaborations, will shed light on how to reduce barriers and facilitate access of COVID-19 vaccines for those who are the most at risk in our community.
ACO is a social justice organization that provides education, support, outreach and advocacy to people living with/affected by/ and at risk of HIV/AIDS in the Ottawa region. ACO has served the Ottawa community for over 35 years.
ACO provides education and information for the general public. We offer monthly HIV 101 workshops, and by request for the community. Please contact info@aco-cso.ca to sign up for a future workshop or to learn more about the work of the ACO.
You can also visit our web-site at www.aco-cso.ca for more information on our organization and to get connected with HIV/AIDS resources. You can also follow us @acocso or @acottawa.
