Whittier Street Health Center

Baker-Polito administration awards additional $13.5 million for COVID-19 vaccine equity efforts

Richard McDonough

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $13.5 million to support community organizations working in the cities and towns hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness, acceptance and access to the COVID-19 vaccine. These latest grants are part of the Administration’s investment of more than $46.5 million to address vaccine hesitancy.

With these funds, community organizations continue the work of reducing barriers to vaccine access and promoting primary vaccines and boosters for communities and populations most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

“These trusted community-based organizations and leaders know their communities and neighborhoods best,” said Acting Department of Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “These organizations expand and amplify the efforts of our Vaccine Equity Initiative by helping address the immediate and long-term health equity needs in priority communities – needs that have been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

The $13.5 million includes:

The grants are the result of three major funding awards from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Commonwealth, building on the state’s investment to increase vaccine awareness and acceptance in communities hardest hit by COVID-19.

Award Recipients:

Massachusetts Community Health Workers for Resilient Communities (MA CRC) (CHW) $10.65M ($3.55M per year for 3 years)

Rural Vaccine Program $675,000                                                                                                                (funded organizations will receive $75,000 each) 

Vaccine Community Access Partners (HRiA) $2,105,754                                                                        Grant size: $35,000 – $50,000 per organization

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