Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris continue to hold bi-weekly meetings with the members of the Springfield Information Vax Force Committee.
The Springfield Information Vax Force Committee will provide credible COVID-19 Coronavirus resources to the citizens of Springfield using science, data, and information to guide the decision-making and explain the vaccination process, in layman’s terms. The committee will collect data, develop communication strategies and provide community outreach to help explain and clarify what vaccines are, how the vaccine is effective, what to expect once you are vaccinated and the best practices to use after being vaccinated. In addition, the Vax Force will help to debunk the myths about the vaccine and dispel rumors and misinformation. The Vax Force will also help examine the distrust of vaccines within marginalized groups within the community.
The Vax Force is comprised of 15 committee members offering expertise in the areas of health clinician data and information, research, education, faith, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Those present in the Zoom meeting today were Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Chief of Staff Tom Ashe, and Communications Director William Baker. Vax Force Committee members in attendance were Executive Director for the Springfield Housing Authority Denise Jordan, Nursing Supervisory for Springfield Public Schools Jeanne Clancy, CEO for New North Citizens Council Maria Ligus, COO for New North Citizens Council Jose Claudio, Dr. Jeffrey Scavron from Brightwood Health Center, Director of UMass Population Health Capstone Dr. Sarah McAdoo, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Baystate Health Ysmisi Oloruntola-Coates, Director of Operations Harm Reduction for Tapestry Health Systems Damaris Jones, Clinical Associate Professor of Community Care for the Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Dr. Melissa Mattison, Dr. Kathleen Szegda from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Dr. Andrew Balder from the Mason Square Health Center, and Wesley Days of Public Health Council at UMass Springfield.
