Posted April 29, 2021

Two upcoming vaccination clinics co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Archdiocese are designed specifically for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

On May 1, the archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate will team up with the City of Philadelphia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide the Pfizer COVID-19 jab at the Esperanza Community Vaccination Center, located at 4261 North 5th Street in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia.

Pre-registration for the appointments, which are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., can be made at https://cw2-philadelphia-pa-production.herokuapp.com/reg/0467251999. Second shots will be given at the same site on May 22.

FEMA will provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, Certified Deaf interpreters (CDI), and a Spanish-speaking Deaf interpreter on site throughout the event. Family, friends and caretakers are also welcome, according to video message released by the agency.

Free community shuttle services have also been arranged by SEPTA, FEMA and the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health.

Several archdiocesan parishes are serving as pick-up and drop off locations for the shuttle services. Those interested in signing up for transportation can reserve a seat by visiting a dedicated link https://form.jotform.com/211119064788055

Free parking is also available on site for personal vehicles.

Shuttle pickup and drop-off locations include:

-Stella Maris Catholic Church (2901 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, 19148; bus departs at 10 a.m.)

-40th and Market Streets (Philadelphia, 19104; SW corner; bus departs at 11 a.m.)

-St. Francis de Sales School (917 South 47th Street,  Philadelphia, 19143; bus departs at 12 p.m.)

-St. Matthew Church (3000 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, 19149; bus departs at 1 p.m.)

On May 4, St. Kevin Parish in Springfield, Delaware County will host a vaccination clinic from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for members of the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing communities, along with their caregivers, families and friends.

The event will provide 300 first doses of the Moderna jab, administered by qualified and trained personnel from the Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (DGDP), an area leader in providing vaccines to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The clinic is a partnership among DGDP, part of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS); the archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate, and the Swarthmore-based Deaf-Hearing Communication Center.

Those interested in receiving the vaccine are asked to register by visiting https://delcocovid.as.me/c19cvacdv2.

For more information on the clinic, please contact DHCC at info@dhcc.org