St. Louis Department of Health Joins National “Shots at the Shop” Initiative to Expand Vaccine Opportunities in Black-Owned Barbershops and Beauty Salons

The move comes as the Delta variant of COVID-19, a more contagious and dangerous strain of
the virus, sweeps across Missouri.

June 25, 2021 | 2 min reading time

This article is 3 years old. It was published on June 25, 2021.

The City of St. Louis Department of Health announces the city’s joining of the national “Shots at the Shop” initiative to expand vaccine access in Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons. The move comes as the Delta variant of COVID-19, a more contagious and dangerous strain of the virus, sweeps across Missouri.

“St. Louis is ready to plug into this exciting national program to help more residents get vaccinated,” said Dr. Frederick Echols, acting director for the City of St. Louis. “I encourage interested businesses to reach out to the Department of Health to be a part of this opportunity.”

The Shots at the Shop initiative is a collaboration between the Black Coalition Against COVID, SheaMoisture, the University of Maryland Center for Health Equity and the Biden Administration to increase COVID-19 vaccine awareness, education and engagement. Up to 1,000 barbershops and beauty salons across the country will receive a $1,000 grant from SheaMoisture to participate in the initiative, including in St. Louis. The Department of Health will be reaching out to assess interest and availability of barbershops and salons. Interested facilities should reach out to the Department of Health at (314) 657-1498.

"Over 70 percent of new COVID-19 vaccinations in the past month have been in Black communities,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “My administration is working diligently to reach unvaccinated residents where they are at and getting hesitant St. Louisans vaccinated in places they feel comfortable.”

Mayor Jones has presented an initial $80 million investment of American Rescue Plan funds to get shots in arms, keep families in their homes and address the root causes of crime to improve public safety. The plan includes $6.75 million in public health infrastructure to get people the resources they need and vaccinate them with mobile vaccine clinics and community canvasses, meeting St. Louisans in their neighborhoods and homes. This need is especially pressing as the Delta variant takes hold in Missouri.

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