JCGF To Co-Develop Vaccine Outreach Program This Fall

Capitol Heights, MD, Sep. 7, 2020: In partnership with Marymount University’s School of Nursing, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) will be launching a program this Fall to address the critical needs of older adults and communities of color in anticipation of the release of a COVID-19 vaccine. Together, JCGF and Marymount University’s community health nursing students will embark on a thorough strategic planning process during which patient education and outreach resources will be developed.

According to the CDC, the risk of becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus increases with age, with older adults being at the highest risk. So far, 8 out of 10 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States have been adults aged 65 and older, providing conclusive evidence that older adults must be prioritized as inoculation becomes a reality, hopefully in the near future. As evidenced by the devastating absence of proper-planning for the well-being of seniors during the first weeks of the pandemic, special care must be taken in advance to ensure that the needs of this vulnerable group are taken into consideration.

The communities of Black, Indigenous and other people of color are also at a higher risk of infection, chiefly due to socio-economic inequalities, lack of access to proper healthcare and an occupationally-effected increased level of exposure to the virus. BIPOC communities justifiably have a fraught history with the medical field and need to not only be prioritized during the establishment of immunization protocols but for proper engagement and outreach to be conducted in order to overcome the negative experiences of the past.

Black, Indigenous, and other people of color as well as older Americans deserve to have adequate time and attention dedicated to preparing their communities to implement vaccination programs in order to slow and eventually stop the spread of COVID-19. JCGF and the Marymount University Bachelor’s of Nursing students are hopeful that this partnership will begin to address these issues.

About the Juanita C. Grant Foundation

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) provides education and training, advocacy and research addressing economic insecurity, workforce development and quality of life challenges for the 50+ community. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for the 50+ through economic workforce development, education, and training. To learn more about our initiatives and join us on this journey, please visit our website at www.jcgfdn.org.

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Karachi Opara 

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