NCDHHS to Host Livestream Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines for Families in North Carolina on March 29 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH     The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Cafecito and Spanish language tele-town hall on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

    Key topics include:

• COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness for children ages 5 and older
• What it means to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines
• Current recommendations for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant
• Tips for a healthier spring and summer season

    Participants include Edith M. Nieves López, M.D., FAAP, a community pediatrician, advocate and grassroots organizer; Lwiza Escobar Garcia, LMSW, community engagement specialist in the Wake County Department of Public Health and Human Services; and Yazmin Garcia Rico, MSW, director of Latinx and Hispanic Policy and Strategy for NCDHHS.

    The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS social media accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions to help ensure everyone who is interested can participate. People can also dial into the event by calling (855) 756-7520, Ext. 80196#.

    Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else. The vaccine provides a safe, tested way to keep families healthy, yet the majority of Hispanic children who are eligible for a vaccine haven't received their first dose.

    To date, only 21% of Hispanic children ages 5-11 and 52% of Hispanic adolescents ages 12-17 in North Carolina have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. In comparison, 78% of Hispanic North Carolinians ages 18 and older have received at least one dose. Vaccination numbers for both children and teens are below vaccination rates for any other Hispanic age group in the state.

    In addition, many Hispanic and Latino residents are overdue for their booster dose. Of those who are eligible, nearly 64% have not received their booster. This percentage is larger than any other racial or ethnic group in the state.

    NCDHHS Cafecito's and tele-town halls are part of the state's ongoing public engagement to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure equitable access to timely information, resources and COVID-19 vaccines.

    The NCDHHS social media platforms will host the livestream: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Visit the channel of your choice to watch the event, which will begin streaming at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• 2001 Mail Service Center
• Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
• Ph: (919) 855-4840
• news@dhhs.nc.gov