Vaccination Van Coming to New Fairfield

Danbury CT

02 August, 2021

4:13 PM

Description

The New Fairfield Department of Health, in conjunction with Griffin Hospital, will host a Covid-19 mobile vaccination clinic on August 4 and August 7 in the New Fairfield High School parking lot. Anyone aged 12 and over seeking a free Pfizer, Modern or Johnson & Johnson vaccine can come to the Vaccination Van (children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). The Vaccination Van, sponsored by Griffin Hospital, will be at the high school on Wednesday, August 4 from 8am-7pm and again on Saturday, August 7 from 9am-5pm. No appointment is necessary. Those receiving a vaccine will also get coupons to Quassy Amusement Park and Dunkin' Donuts and ice cream from the Goodie Shoppe. COVID-19 case rates are now rising in New Fairfield and Sherman, and both towns continue to have lower vaccination rates than other area towns and are well below "herd immunity," which is particularly concerning to town officials with the increased spread of the potent Delta variant. The recent warning from the Connecticut Department of Health about the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in all parts of the state over the last two weeks, along with the DPH recommendation to wear masks in all inside public spaces, further raises concern. "The Delta variant is widely prevalent in Connecticut now, with 77% of all positive cases determined to be from this highly infectious strain. Unvaccinated persons account for the majority of new COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, and children seem more susceptible to this variant," said Tim Simpkins, Director of Health for New Fairfield and Sherman. Even if a vaccinated person contracts COVID-19, they usually have no to mild symptoms, rarely need to be hospitalized and have low incidence of death compared to the unvaccinated. The State of Connecticut recently reported that unvaccinated residents are 17 times more likely to test positive for the disease than vaccinated people, and covid-related deaths of vaccinated people were only 2.4% of the state's total coronavirus-linked deaths since February. Currently the vaccines are the country's most effective strategy to prevent infection and severe disease. The vaccines were developed and approved during the Trump Administration and are administered under the Biden Administration. The concern now is that more children are falling ill with this variant, and protecting them is important as school and other indoor activities begin next month.