Local health leaders and advocates will host a neighborhood block party in Highland Park on Saturday to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines and offer interested guests the opportunity to receive their choice of shot - Pfizer, Moderna or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson.
The event is the first of several upcoming block parties hosted by Get Vaccinated Chattanooga, a vaccine education campaign funded by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation and will feature free food, live music, family fun activities and special giveaways at the BlueCross Healthy Place, 1800 Vance Ave.
CHI Memorial's medical staff will be there to provide vaccine education and administer Pfizer vaccines to anyone 12 years and older and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to anyone 18 years and older who would like to be vaccinated.
Block parties are planned in underserved neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County with the lowest vaccination rates.
(READ MORE: One of Chattanooga's most vulnerable ZIP codes is the least vaccinated against COVID-19)
"Based upon local data, Get Vaccinated Chattanooga has identified the ZIP codes and neighborhoods with the lowest vaccination rates within Hamilton County, which include 37403, 37404, 37406, 37407, 37409, 37410, and 37379," a news release states. "Over the next several weeks, organizers will remove any and all barriers by bringing information about the life-saving COVID-19 vaccines and the medical staff to administer the vaccines directly to children and adults in these designated neighborhoods.
"The coalition believes that the COVID-19 vaccines should be available to everyone in every neighborhood throughout Chattanooga. And it requires intentionality, a commitment to equity and a collaborative effort to reach everyone," the news release said.
For more information, visit the Get Vaccinated Chattanooga Facebook page, which features information about the COVID-19 vaccines and locations throughout Chattanooga where people can get vaccinated.
Other upcoming block parties in July:
> July 10 – East Lake Park (ZIP code 37407) - 3000 E. 34th St.
> July 17- East Chattanooga (ZIP code 37406) - to be decided.
> July 24 – Emma Wheeler Homes (ZIP code 37410) – 4900 Edinburgh Drive.
> July 31 – East Lake Courts (ZIP code 37407) – 2600 4th Ave.
For more information about Get Vaccinated Chattanooga or the Neighborhood Block Party series, please call 423-800-8101 or follow Get Vaccinated Chattanooga on Facebook and Instagram.
- Compiled by staff writer Elizabeth Fite.