Key Takeaways

  • Nine Vaccine Uptake Initiative grantees will receive funding to conduct tailored outreach, host vaccine clinics, and offer services to help older adults and people with disabilities get the latest COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine.

  • Funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the initiative supports trusted community messengers in expanding vaccine access to older adults and people with disabilities. 

  • NCOA is continuing to review applications on a rolling basis until March 1. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply online.

 

Funding will support outreach, vaccine clinics, transportation, and more nationwide

Contact
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Arlington, VA (January 26, 2023)—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, has announced the first round of grantees under its Vaccine Uptake Initiative, funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living. 

The nine grantees will receive funding to conduct tailored outreach, host vaccine clinics, and offer services like transportation and appointment scheduling to enable older adults and people with disabilities to get the latest COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine. Combined, the grantees are expected to reach up to 30,000 individuals.

“These local organizations are trusted messengers in their communities, and we’re proud to support their efforts to keep older adults and people with disabilities safe and healthy with the latest lifesaving vaccines,” said Ramsey Alwin, NCOA president and CEO.

The grantees serve diverse racial and ethnic populations in both metropolitan and rural areas, helping us ensure that no one is left behind.”

Servicios de la Raza in Colorado and Chinatown Service Center in California, will each receive Regional Collaborative Grants, and seven organizations will receive Community Action Grants to focus on specific hard-to-reach populations. Those are:

  • Alma Family Services in California
  • Franklin County Senior Services in Illinois
  • Senior Friendship Centers in Florida
  • Korean Women’s Association in Washington
  • Mazzoni Center in Pennsylvania
  • McDowell County Commission on Aging in West Virginia
  • ONEGeneration in California

NCOA is continuing to review applications for additional funding on a rolling basis until March 1. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply online.

Nearly nine in 10 deaths from COVID are among people 65 and over, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults. However, the CDC reports that only 71% of older adults who received the initial COVID vaccine also received the first recommended booster, and only 44% have received the second one. A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 43% of people 65 and over were “not sure” or responded “no” when asked if the booster dose was for them.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging. 

This COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Notice of Funding Opportunity (HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-HDRC-0043) is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $50 million with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The content is that of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. government.