SALINAS, Calif. (KMUV-TV) — All residents living in the 93905 East Salinas ZIP code have officially received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. This specific area accounted for 18% of the total number of positive cases in Monterey County.
“I feel a little more relaxed with life. I’m not too worried about all this,” said Salinas resident Abraham Garcia.
With the mask mandate now over, Garcia said this newfound hope in vaccination numbers gives him reassurance that things are starting to return to normal life.
The VIDA Integrated Aid Distribution program, along with other public health workers, helped increase vaccination rates in the East Salinas zip code.
“Every two weeks we have a meeting to discuss how Vida can support the different areas, so with those that need more vaccines. You will see more presence of Vida,” said Micahel Castro, co-leader of VIDA. “You will recognize the people in their blue t-shirts that say ‘LIFE’ on them, talking about vaccines or why they are necessary. Sharing different resources to help the population.”
Their goal: to inform and increase access to testing and immunizations for the people of Monterey County. And while having the first dose doesn’t mean they’re fully vaccinated, VIDA said it’s a step in the right direction.
While VIDA has more locations popping up in the near future, they have recently rolled out a new mobile van that runs Fridays and Saturdays that provides testing and vaccinations.
For more information, click here to visit their website.
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