Austin is receiving funds to promote COVID-19 vaccines to underserved communities.
The $2.7 million in funding is from the Centers for Disease Control and falls under the Austin Public Health program “Reach In, Reach Out and Vaccinate: Place-based Outreach & COVID-19 Vaccination for Populations of Focus in the Austin Area (Reach In, Reach Out)," told by Austin Public Health.
The program aims to promote and deliver COVID-19 vaccines and information to populations who are at-risk for COVID-19 infections; those populations include people of color, immigrants and refugees, lower-income and older adults, who have suffered disproportionate rates of COVID-19 disease, told by Austin Public Health.
According to Austin Public Health, "black residents make up 7.8% of the population, 8% of COVID-19 cases, but as of Aug. 20, 11% of local deaths from COVID-19. Latinx residents make up 33.9% of the population, but 42% of COVID-19 cases and 50% of deaths from COVID-19. Older adults (60 years of age or older) are at highest risk of mortality from COVID-19, making up only 9% of the population, but 11% of COVID-19 cases and 79% of deaths from COVID-19."
To be accepted, a non-profit provider must register with the City of Austin and register using the Partnergrants system. APH is only accepting applications through the Partnergrants database, told by Austin Public Health.