Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, in partnership with the County of Monroe and a coalition of community groups, businesses and hospital systems have teamed up to bring free COVID tests and flu vaccinations to four Rochester churches from Oct. 5 to Oct. 17.
“This is another example of how Rochester continues to work together to protect our most vulnerable residents against COVID-19 and influenza,” said Mayor Warren. “We are extremely grateful for our faith leaders, whose churches often serve as pillars of this community, and get their support and commitment to ensuring residents have access to testing and immunizations this fall.”
“Our community works best when we all come together to get things done. It’s imperative we make sure everyone in Monroe County has access to COVID-19 testing and influenza vaccinations, especially in neighborhoods that have experienced some of our highest rates of coronavirus cases,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “I’m grateful to the faith community for their support of this initiative and to the community groups, hospitals and businesses that joined together to make this happen.”
“This church-based project reflects our community’s ongoing collaborative efforts to address COVID-19 inequities for communities of color,” said Wade Norwood, Common Ground Health CEO. “Through efforts like these, we hope to stop this virus in its tracks.”
Held Mondays through Saturdays, the initiative will provide convenient and trusted access to health resources to predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods, which have experienced some of the highest rates of coronavirus cases.
Masks and social distancing are required at all sites and participants will be provided a mask if needed.
Testing and flu shots are provided at no cost to participants who do not have health insurance. Individuals with health insurance are asked to bring their cards for submitting the claims, which are covered at no additional cost or co-pay, even for those with deductibles. Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center are covering the cost of COVID testing; and Wegmans and the Monroe County Department of Public Health are covering the cost of flu shots for those without health insurance.
Clinicians will provide a general health screening, including temperature, blood pressure and education about coronavirus symptoms. Participants are not required to have symptoms to be tested. Staff will notify individuals of their test results and connect them with a health care provider if they do not already have one.
Community members will also receive resources on legal assistance, housing and other services and will be encouraged to sign up for the ROC COVID symptom tracker (roccovid.org).
The COVID-19 and flu initiative is sponsored by the City of Rochester, County of Monroe, Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Rochester Black Nurses Association, Common Ground Health, Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Jordan Health, Ibero American Action League, Rochester Regional Health, NYS Department of Health, Regional Health Reach, University of Rochester and Wegmans.
Testing and flu shots are offered from noon to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6, 7 Aenon Baptist Church 175 Genesee St., Rochester, NY 14611
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 8, 9, 10 Greater Harvest Church 121 Driving Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14613
Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 12, 13, 14 Memorial AME Zion Church 549 Clarrisa St., Rochester, NY 14608
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 15, 16, 17 House of Prayer and Restoration 545 Hudson Ave, Rochester, NY 14605
Related news coverage:
Democrat and Chronicle City churches to host free COVID testing/flu shot clinics amid rise in skepticism
WROC TV Free COVID-19 testing, flu vaccine clinic opens in the city
Genesee Sun No-cost COVID-19 Testing and Flu Shots Offered at Rochester Churches
Patch No-Cost COVID-19 Testing And Flu Shots To Be Offered At Select Rochester Churches In October
