This Saturday, you can get more than a haircut at Visions Barbershop, as it hosts a vaccine distribution event for residents in the 19th Ward. The event is sponsored by His Branches Community Health Center, The Rochester Area Community Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Rochester Southwest.
June 5th is the first day of the two-day event. Those who schedule an appointment will receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Saturday. The second dose will be automatically scheduled for June 26th at the same time and location.
The shots will be available to those 12 and older with parent/guardian supervision. Participants will also receive a voucher for a free haircut for future use at the shop.
Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. and can be booked online www.hisbranches.org/barbershots. The New York state consent form can be filled out there as well.
Visions Barbershop has been a staple in the 19th Ward for over 30 years. Ronnie Dee Davis, the owner, was initially skeptical of taking the vaccine, citing distrust in the government for decades of health care inequities in Black and Brown communities.
News coverage of COVID-19 devastating India’s population changed his mind. After conducting research, Ronnie chose to take the Pfizer vaccine; now, he aspires to create a comfortable space for customers and fellow community members to follow his lead.
“If I do it, maybe the younger generation and my older customers will be comfortable taking it,” Davis…
