SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - Healthy Savannah has been awarded $15,000 by The Center for Black Health & Equity to help provide and support vaccine access ahead of an anticipated COVID-19 summer surge. receives “The historic Summer Covid surge necessitates vigilance around the disease to avoid a spike like those we’ve experienced in the past,” said Gregory Bolden, program manager of the Center’s Community Initiatives. “The Center saw an opportunity here in Savannah to align our objectives with a similar program offered by Healthy Savannah.” Healthy Savannah has scheduled an in-person public listening session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center. The event will be presented by the Savannah (Ga.) Chapter of the Links, Inc. “After getting through the seasonal flu and COVID season over the winter, the last thing many people want to think about is another wave of COVID, especially as school gets underway, said Nichele Hoskins, Adult Immunization Program manager. "But cases will likely rise again this summer and Healthy Savannah wants to help you prepare for it.” The listening session will also provide a non-judgmental platform for discussing the experiences, perceptions, and concerns related to vaccine access, awareness, and acceptance. “We’ll have Black and Hispanic medical experts there to answer questions about vaccine safety and efficacy,” said Denise Cooper, VP, the Links. “There may be questions about how and why those affected by the Texas measles outbreak in which one child died were not vaccinated and whether that could happen here.” “We are inviting you and your family, friends and co-workers to join the conversation,” said Hoskins. “Anyone who can relate to the health inequities that Black and Hispanic Savannahians experience has a seat at this table.” Healthy Savannah will also offer an online training session in April for those wishing to become Community Health Advocates. This will be the ninth cohort focused on adult vaccine equity offered since Healthy Savannah launched the program in 2021. To date, Healthy Savannah has trained more than 100 community members interested in advancing health equity and awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases in the Savannah area. Anyone interested in joining the conversation to advance health equity by attending the listening session or training to become a CHA may register by emailing CHAadmin@healthysavannah.org. Those who complete the Community Health Advocate training requirements are eligible to receive a $500 stipend. ...read more read less