Stamford Hopes New Initiative Can Increase Vaccination Rates

STAMFORD, CT — City officials are hoping a new initiative can help increase vaccination rates, especially among young people, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike locally and across the country.

According to a news release, Stamford’s Department of Health, and Family Centers’ Community Health Workers (CHWs), along with Stamford Health, and Community Health Center, Inc. are launching a new campaign involving barbershops and salons to encourage residents who have not already received the vaccine to do so.

The "Cut Out COVID Campaign" was created with grants from the state of Connecticut, FEMA, and the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. All parties are important partners of the Stamford Vaccine Equity Partnership.

"With the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases stemming from the delta variant, now is as important of a time as any to go out and get vaccinated," said Mayor David Martin in a news release. "I hope that this initiative will encourage any residents who have not yet received the vaccine to do their part in protecting our community and keeping the City of Stamford safe."

Barbershops and salons will encourage clients to get vaccinated. People who take the shot will then come back to the business and provide their name, phone number, email address and proof of vaccination. The businesses can offer additional encouragement or incentives to their customers, such as free haircuts, products or discounts to those who get vaccinated.

Businesses wil track clients on a weekly basis and report their total to a contact at Family Centers each week, beginning Aug. 7. The barbershop or salon with the highest total of newly vaccinated clients (first dose) will be chosen as the weekly winner. Winners will be highlighted across social media platforms and provided with a window sign to display their achievement.

"Throughout our vaccination campaign we have collaborated with community messengers in a variety of ways. This is one more approach to share information about the importance of getting vaccinated. I am grateful for the participation of the barbers and stylists and am optimistic about the success of this initiative,” said Acting Director of Health, Jody Bishop-Pullan, in a news release.

Participating barbershop and salon employees have undergone a four-hour educational course on COVID-19 and vaccines from the University of Maryland, the news release said. Employees were trained on how to engage customers in conversations on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and educate them on local vaccination locations and availability.

The campaign begins with pop-up vaccinations clinics on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Master Barbershop located at 90 W. Broad St. in Stamford, and Sunday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stamford Barbershop located at 791 E. Main St. in Stamford.

Vaccinations are free, and no appointments or insurance are required. You do not need to be a client of these barbershops or salons to get a haircut to participate.

The overall winner with the largest number of first-dose vaccinations between Aug. 7 and Aug. 28 will receive an award of recognition from Martin and the Stamford Health Department. All participating locations will receive a certificate of community leadership from the City of Stamford, the news release said.