The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is set to host a Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall tomorrow, aiming to shore up understanding of the seasonal vaccines' role in safeguarding public health. The discussion, scheduled between 6 and 7 p.m., will tangentially address available resources and health information for Hispanic and Latino communities, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Helene's impact.
Carolina Siliceo Perez, Acting Director for Latinx/Hispanic Policy and Strategy at NCDHHS, alongside health experts Gabriela Plasencia and Sharon Muñoz, will lead the conversation. They plan to broadly lay out actionable advice for acquiring flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and will also educate attendants about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) protections and vaccines. Furthermore, they intend to to vigorously discuss ways in which individuals can locate healthcare services in Spanish, and measures to protect against seasonal illness.
According to the NCDHHS statement, everyone over the age of six months should consider getting updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. These preventatives are particularly salient for those under 5, over 65, pregnant individuals, or those with chronic medical conditions—groups considered at heightened risk of complications from the viruses. Basically, vaccines are being touted as vital for curbing severe cases and long-term complications tied to these viruses.
Additional topics during the Cafecito will include tips on finding free vaccines for children and procedures to quickly test for COVID-19 if symptoms arise. Participants also aim to make sure individuals are properly informed on how to access free at-home COVID-19 tests available through over 300 local organizations and by mail. Interested parties can find more info on testing at MySpot.nc.gov/Tests, and are encouraged to do so sooner rather than later.
The virtual Cafecito will be streamed on NCDHHS' Facebook and YouTube platforms, providing an avenue for viewers to chime in with questions. For those preferring auditory engagement, a concurrent tele-town hall will enable people to listen in and submit their queries by dialing 855-756-7520 Ext. 112992#.
