October 4, 2013

Advocacy Makes a Difference – City Immunization Clinics to Stay Open!

The Mayor’s Office and the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) heard us—and they have decided to keep all three of the City’s Immunization Clinics open!

As you may recall, in August, the City Health Department announced its plan to close the immunization clinics in Bronx and Corona, ironically, during National Immunization Awareness Month. This plan was despite the fact that these two clinics administered nearly 15,000 vaccines to inoculate approximately 10,000 children against potentially devastating diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis B, tetanus.

CCC, our volunteers and online community, as well as our colleagues from other advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, unions and the City Council galvanized quickly. Together we collected thousands of petition signatures, sent hundreds of letters to the Mayor, and participated in a press conference at City Hall.

Our voices were heard!  After initially delaying the closures until September, on the eve of the intended closures, the City announced their reversal– giving instant relief to the many families in need of flu shots and other vaccinations.

All three of the City’s immunization clinics will now continue to be available to the vulnerable families who depend on them for access to affordable immunization service.

CCC extends our gratitude to everyone who helped in this advocacy effort and to Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Farley for ensuring resources were available to keep these clinics operating.

Tags
Effective Advocacy, Health, Immunizations, Health

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