NEW ORLEANS — Today, the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the Orleans Parish Communication District announce the launch of the Citywide Vaccine Waitlist.
“COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact, highlighting longstanding inequities in the health of many groups in our community,” said NOHD Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno. “Providing the COVID-19 vaccine to seniors of color, low-income seniors, and those with functional and access needs continues to be a top priority for Mayor Cantrell and the New Orleans Health Department. This waitlist will help us ensure that New Orleans’ most vulnerable residents have access to the vaccine.”
New Orleans residents 65 years of age and older (or otherwise eligible in the current phase) who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine should call 3-1-1 (504-658-2299) or go to ready.nola.gov/getvaccine to register for the Citywide Vaccine Waitlist.
When appointments become available each week from the New Orleans Health Department and other participating providers, members of the waitlist will be contacted. Vaccine locations will vary each week, so residents will need to be able to arrange their own transportation or schedule RTA paratransit by calling 504-827-7433. The second dose appointment will be scheduled upon receipt of first dose.
At present, the waitlist is designed only for residents currently eligible to receive vaccine in Phases 1A and 1B, Tier 1; however, as additional eligibility details are finalized by the Louisiana Department of Health for upcoming phases, the waitlist will be expanded accordingly.
At the end of the day today, the New Orleans Health Department will have provided roughly 850 vaccines to residents in the current priority groups, including clients of Healthcare for the Homeless, clients of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), residents of Christopher Homes, residents of HANO properties, individuals on the City’s Special Needs Registry (including homebound individuals), and other seniors who may have limited access to vaccine via existing channels.
Vaccine administration is also supported by volunteers in the NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps and the New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps. Over 600 volunteers have been fully trained to participate in vaccine efforts, which include staffing call centers for vaccine appointments, assisting with community outreach, and staffing points of dispensing in both medical and non-medical roles. For more information or to get involved as a volunteer, visit ready.nola.gov/volunteer.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine effort in New Orleans, visit ready.nola.gov/vaccine.
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