Community nonprofits have teamed up with local business owners to offer discounts for customers vaccinated to protect our community from COVID-19 and boost economic growth in the city.
The Trenton Makes Vaccines Happen campaign, supported by the New Jersey Department of Health ELC grant program through a partnership of Trenton Health Team (THT), the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, aims to improve Trenton’s 50 percent vaccination rate by raising public awareness about the safety and availability of vaccines and to thank those who get “vaxxed.” The program runs until July 4, 2021.
Reggie Hallett, co-owner of 1911 Smokehouse BBQ, was among the first merchants to join the campaign, and he is hosting FREE WALK-UP COVID-19 VACCINES during the restaurant’s popular First Friday celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. July 2, 2021.
“We need to get Trenton moving and back to work,” Hallett said. “Smokehouse is Trenton; the community supports us, and we want to do everything to support the community. The community is all we have and we need to help everyone.”
Participating merchants display a Trenton Makes Vaccines Happen poster, provide a discount/special to eligible customers, and receive a stipend supported by funding from the New Jersey Department of Health, the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium and Trinity Health through St. Francis Medical Center. Click HERE to see the merchant list
“We are so grateful for the business community’s help getting more Trenton residents protected against COVID-19,” said THT Executive Director Gregory Paulson. “Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our families and our economy.”
Research shows vaccines prevent hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, and protect against recently identified virus variants. Everyone 12 or older who lives, works or studies in New Jersey is now eligible to be vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are FREE. You are not required to have health insurance. You are not required to be a US citizen. Check THT website for updated list of FREE WALK-UP COVID-19 VACCINE SITES
Health care providers urge everyone who is not fully vaccinated to wear a mask and continue social distancing.
Healthcare leaders and others have voiced growing concerns about inequities in vaccine access, with immigrants and communities of color especially affected. ELC grants, administered by the New Jersey Department of Health Division of Family Health Services and the Maternal Child Health Consortia, support expanded access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, and training for community health workers to connect at-risk residents with needed services and reliable COVID-19 information.