STAMFORD, CT – The City of Stamford’s Department of Health, and Family Centers’ Community Health Workers (CHWs), along with Stamford Health, and Community Health Center, Inc. are launching a Barbershop & Salon Covid-19 Vaccination Initiative to encourage residents who have not already received the vaccine to do so.
The “Cut Out COVID campaign”, made possible by grants from the State of Connecticut, FEMA, and the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, are an integral part 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. “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.”
As part of the program, the Barbershops and Salons will encourage clients to get vaccinated, and then return to the business to provide their name, phone number, email address, and proof of vaccination. The businesses are free to offer additional encouragement or incentives to their customers, such as free haircuts, products or discounts to those who get vaccinated, if they choose to do so.
“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.
The barbershop/salon will track these clients on a weekly basis and report their total to a contact at Family Centers each week starting on August 7. The barbershop/salon with the highest tally of newly vaccinated clients (first dose) will be chosen as the weekly winner. The winner will be highlighted across social media platforms and provided with a window sign to display commemorating their success.
Participating barbershop and salon employees have undergone a 4-hour educational course on COVID-19 and vaccines from the University of Maryland. 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, August 7 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Master Barbershop located at 90 West Broad Street in Stamford, and Sunday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Stamford Barbershop located at 791 East Main Street in Stamford. Vaccinations are free, and no appointments or insurance are required at either event. You do not need to be a client of these barbershops or get a haircut to participate.
The overall winner with the largest number of first-dose vaccinations between August 7 and August 28 will receive an award of recognition from Mayor David Martin and the Stamford Health Department.
All participating locations will receive a certificate of community leadership from the City of Stamford.
