Vaccination Clinic Scheduled For The Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Population

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), has partnered with Elliot Health System to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic specifically for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families and/or caregivers. The clinic will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Elliot Health System, 275 Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH.

The Pfizer vaccine will be administered at this clinic and the second dose will be scheduled for June 12. The clinic is open to anyone ages 12 and older (minors need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian). American Sign Language interpreters will be provided. Vaccine recipients only need to bring an ID, if they have one.

“We are grateful to work closely with our community partners to meet the vaccine needs of all people in New Hampshire,” said Kirsten Durzy, DPHS COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Branch Director. “We are committed to working to eliminate barriers to vaccine as we look forward to the end of this pandemic and getting back to the things we miss most, like gathering with others.”

“Elliot Health System is honored to collaborate with the DHHS to develop and implement an accessible COVID-19 vaccine clinic for our deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community members,” Elliot Health System Manager of Language Services and Accessibility, Kimberlee Pelkey stated. “By hosting a clinic with barrier free access to communication and information, we hope to create a setting where community members feel comfortable and welcomed, aligning with Elliot’s goal of achieving health equity for all those we serve.”

To date, DHHS has vaccinated more than 35,000 people through its equity allocation across the state.

To register for the clinic, call (603) 271-9097 or (603) 546-7882 (video phone), or email equityvaccine@dhhs.nh.gov with your name and birthdate by May 19.