Merced, California – Communities for a New California Education Fund (CNC) is partnering with regional community-based organizations - including Jakara Movement, Lideres Campesinas, and the United Farm Workers Foundation - to provide a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic that will run Friday, July 16 from 4-7 p.m. at El Bajio Supermarket, 1010 W. 16th Street in Merced. The pop-up clinic will be available to those ages 12 and older and no appointment is necessary.
Merced is one of the most vulnerable counties in the state with only 30% of eligible community members fully vaccinated and a high infection rate. “We are in a race against time to protect our Merced families through the vaccine. Hyperlocal outbreaks are a real threat here; decreased mask wearing and social distancing plus increased gatherings in an area where the majority of people are unvaccinated puts us at greater risk of contracting COVID-19,” said Rosa Inguanzo, a CNC organizer.
The partnership with Bajio Supermarket underscores the unity and urgency required to protect families during this pandemic. Mayte Aguilar explained, “Vaccination rates have been higher in wealthy neighborhoods, but we hope to bridge the gap through these partnerships. Store owners are stepping up to help get as many people vaccinated because they know it’s the only way to keep our neighborhoods safe. It’s pretty simple: The lower the vaccination rates, the higher the spread and the hospitalization. Our goal is to keep Merced healthy one vaccine at a time.”
COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe, and effective and will be available regardless of insurance or immigration status. CNC encourages everyone, including men, young adults, and children ages 12+ to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To find other vaccine sites, visit myturn.ca.gov.
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Communities for a New California Education Fund is building a new power in the San Joaquin, Central, and Imperial valleys by inspiring working-class Californians to engage, activate and fight for social change in their communities. With the help of staff and volunteers from the very communities we serve, CNC EF organizes and educates residents about policy issues that impact our rural families and organizes to improve our neighborhoods.