Ocasio-Cortez launches effort to increase vaccination rates in Corona, Queens

The Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has launched an outreach effort to increase vaccination rates in Corona, Queens.

According to the representative, the effort will combat mistrust about COVID-19 vaccines as vaccination rates continue to lag in Corona, Queens.

“I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It is safe, effective, and free for all. You do not need to have health insurance and no one will ask about your immigration status,” the Congresswoman said in a statement.

“There is also now no appointment necessary for you to get your COVID vaccine at city-run sites, so you can just walk up. This vaccine is the first step in getting our community reopened and keeping all our loved ones safe,” she added.

The Congresswoman’s campaign worked with trusted community leaders in Corona to produce a series of videos that will target Spanish-speaking Facebook users in the 11368 ZIP code.

These short videos feature medical staff from Elmhurst Hospital, faith leaders from Corona, members of the Street Vendor Project, and COVID Outreach Staff from Make the Road NY.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s team have placed print ads in local Spanish-language newspapers, including El Diario NY and Queens Latino, and hosted several tabling events in Corona Plaza with informational literature encouraging residents to book vaccination appointments.

Additionally, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and local elected officials have called upon the city to bring more vaccine sites to the area to increase accessibility to vaccine appointments.

The Congresswoman successfully lobbied the state in February to bring a pop-up vaccine site to First Baptist Church in North Corona, which administered 1000 doses to the community. Northwell also recently established a permanent site in East Corona.