SC Connecticut News

Yale's Neighborhood Health Project (NHP) has been actively offering health services to the New Haven community, with a focus on those who are uninsured or under-insured. In collaboration with Loaves and Fishes, an organization providing essential goods like food and clothing, NHP has expanded its services by introducing a month-long vaccine clinic in October. This initiative provided free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to local residents.

The clinic was led by Christina Pantzer and Ezra Otto, students from Yale School of Nursing. Over four Saturdays, their team administered 120 vaccines. "Through NHP, I know I’m doing something to increase access to health care," said Pantzer, highlighting the importance of reaching vulnerable populations who might otherwise lack access to these vaccines.

The approach taken by NHP is notable for its accessibility. The clinic is set up at locations where people are already present, such as the Loaves and Fishes pantry which serves around 400 individuals every Saturday. "Being able to meet people where they are and speak to them in their language... it creates a bridge," explained Otto.

NHP is an interdisciplinary effort involving students from various Yale programs including nursing, medicine, public health, and physician associate studies. Since its inception in 2003, NHP has offered a range of services at its main clinic at Loaves and Fishes. These include blood pressure screenings, access to health items like condoms and Narcan, and opportunities for medical consultations.

Vaccines for the clinic were supplied by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Any unused doses were redirected to Yale Health Pharmacy for distribution among pediatric patients or adults lacking insurance.

Lorrice Grant, executive director of Loaves and Fishes, praised the partnership with NHP: “That our neighbors get to access these clinics at the same time that they’re doing other things is really incredible.” Loaves and Fishes has been operating since 1982 from Wooster Square's Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St. James.

On one particular morning in October, NHP volunteers prepared tables inside the church’s basement entrance from 8:30 to 10:30 am. They invited visitors seeking food or clothing into the clinic using both English and Spanish communications.

Pantzer emphasized the value of relationship-building through this initiative: “Even if someone doesn’t want to get a vaccine that day... we’re providing a friendly face.”

Loaves and Fishes remains open every Saturday without closing for holidays.