City Rolls Out Next Vaccination Phase; 27 Seniors Get Shots At Berger Apartments

New Haven rolled out the next phase of Covid-19 vaccinations Wednesday with a pop-up clinic at Berger Apartments on Derby Avenue.

On the first day of the expansion of next section of Phase 1b of the state’s plan, residents 65 years and older are now allowed to be vaccinated.

On average, more than 35 percent of residents aged 75 and over in the city have been vaccinated.

“That number could actually be higher now,” said city Health Director Maritza Bond. ​“We’re excited that we’re now transitioning over to 65 and over. We can now continue to vaccinate those from the previous phases, but are expanding further so that we can eventually get to this goal of herd immunity.”

Mayor Justin Elicker, U.S. Rep Rosa DeLauro, Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, and clergy members introduced the expansion of Phase 1b to 27 residents who all received their first vaccinations at the Wednesday pop-up at the senior Berger complex at 135 Derby Ave. Of the 27, 21 live at Berger, where 180 people live overall.

The New Haven Health Department has vaccinated over 5,000 people. Many more residents in the city have been vaccinated by other parties.

Eligible residents can sign up to receive their Covid-19 vaccines by registering on VAMS or call the New Haven Health Department at (203) 639‑2245 to sign up.

“There’s two challenges that we and many other health care providers have. One is the supply of actual vaccines, and second is the number of people that are qualified to give the vaccines,” Elicker said. The mayor put out a call for nurses and doctors to sign up for the city’s Medical Reserve Corps to help vaccinate people.

Alder Walker-Myers encouraged the public to get vaccinated.

“So often we see the neighborhoods, like Ward 23, in need which are predominately African American and Latino are left out. So this is the first step in closing that gap,” she said. (Ward 23, her district, covers West River.)

DeLauro said the Biden Administration has ensured that the state can expect to receive 23,400 first doses and 23,400 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine by next week.

Rev. Brixeida Marquez of Free Forever Prison Ministry Inc., who is 73 years old, said she was desperately waiting for the expansion of the age limit and has been pushing residents to get vaccinated.

“I couldn’t get in the first group because of my age,” Marquez said. ​“I’ve been encouraging everyone to get it because it’s needed if we really want to put a stop to this pandemic. Some people are afraid and there is a lot of misinformation out there. I tell people the facts when they tell me they’re afraid.”

The Berger Apartments had no Covid-19 related deaths until this month when one resident died from the virus.

Juan Rodriguez, 75, who has lived at the Berger Apartments for the past nine years, said he didn’t have any doubts about receiving the Moderna vaccine.

“I’m gonna get it in the name of God,” Rodgriguez said. ​“Hopefully, I’ll feel safer about going out now.”

Nurse Rosellen Moore, who has worked for the New Haven Health Department over 20 years, gave Rodriguez his vaccine. She’s 66 years old; she said the pandemic wasn’t a note she wanted to go out on before retiring.

“Retirement isn’t an option as long as we’re in this situation.” Moore said. ​“I got my first vaccination of Moderna. I think we’re going to have many more people vaccinated, including many young people, before we return to any sense of normalcy. I would like to see everybody vaccinated.”

Rick Merrill, 66, said that he was happy to receive his vaccination.

“I knew I had to wait for my time.” Merrill said. ​“I figured that I’ve got to trust the people who do these things. However, I’m not going to be going out until I receive the second vaccination.”

Carol Esposito, 73, has been living at the apartments for over a decade. She said that all of the residents followed directives to remain inside of their apartments throughout the pandemic.

“I’m getting the vaccine because I don’t wanna get sick,” Esposito said.

Nurse Elizabeth Araujo gave Espositio her vaccine.

“What the heck! You’re kidding,” Esposito said, to Araujo as she received the dose. ​“That’s it? That didn’t hurt a bit!”

Araujo also distributed the vaccine to Lilla Mae Holness, who has lived at the Berger Apartments for over 25 years. At 100, she is the oldest resident.

Holness said she wasn’t nervous about the shot.

“It was very quick, but I’m used to getting shots anyways,” Holness said. ​“I’ve been living in New Haven my entire life. These apartments are a great place to live. I’ve seen a lot of changes here, but people mind their own business.”

Araujo (pictured) said that her team is a part of making history.

“It’s amazing being public health nurses,” Araujo said. ​“We’re doing what we’re supposed to do and this is a step forward. I had a few people who have come in and are really nervous about getting their shot. I told them I’ve gotten it myself. I remind them it’s based on science.”

Ivette and Walter Jofre, 66 and 72, have been married for 48 years. They live 20 minutes away. They received their vaccinations side by side.

Ivette has three children who work in the medical field. They all received their shots, which made her more confident about receiving the vaccination. She said that her son-in-law becoming sick with Covid-19 this past year made her extremely worried about catching the virus.

“You’re taking a chance either way. if you get the shot or you don’t. I feel more comfortable now that I’m getting the shot,” Ivette said. ​“At least now, I have something to make me feel more safe.”

The next batch of vaccinations at the Berger Apartments will be given in four weeks.