As of January 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination process has started in some countries, but we are met with fresh challenges as a global society. As a global Movement serving over 65 million young people and 12,000 communities in 120 countries around the world, YMCA strongly believes that the COVID-19 vaccination is a moral right for every person on the planet who chooses to exercise it.
Read our full statement: YMCA calls for COVID-19 vaccine to be freely and equally available to all
We believe in – and act on:
- Providing the right information
- Facilitating YMCA premises as vaccination centres
- Ensuring equal access to all
Here are just a few examples of YMCAs who are stepping up to support the vaccination campaigns in their communities.
Providing the right information
YMCA USA President and CEO Kevin Washington joined National League of Cities CEO Clarence E. Anthony for a Washington Post Live discussion focusing on the organizations’ vaccine equity and education initiative focused on the Black and Brown communities (April 2021)
First vaccination clinic at a YMCA Ontario (Canada) opens (March 2021)
YMCA Canada to offer a mass vaccination center in Welland (March 2021)
YMCA Seattle: COVID-19 Vaccine: Let’s be informed and protected together. (February 2021)
YMCA of Southern Maine: COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES in several languages. (February 2021)
YMCA of Superior California: Find out if it’s your turn. (February 2021)
Valérie Allusson, Chief Medical Officer at Mountainside Medical Center and a member of the Board of Directors at the YMCA of Montclair (New Jersey, USA) answers questions about the vaccination. (January 2021)
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington (USA) provides information on how to get ready to get the vaccine. (January 2021)
South Sound YMCA (Washington, USA) indicates the different phases in the area. (January 2021)
YMCA Right Here Brighton and Hove (UK) gives an update on what’s happening with the COVID-19 vaccine in their local area. (January 2021)
Asociatia Young Initiative together with the partners YMCA Romania, World Vision Romania, Pro Vobis, the Youth Forum in Romania, the Schools of Our Villages, has launched the Anti-COVID Vaccination Guide for Civil Society, available for download for free (in Romanian). (January 2021)
YMCA premises as vaccination centres
Valley YMCA to provide transportation for seniors to COVID vaccine sites. (February 2021)
YMCA Peru provided their facility to vaccinate doctors and nurses. Watch the video and have a look at the photos. (February 2021)
Podcast – YMCA of Greater Monmouth County: Jersey Shore Matters Radio Interview with YMCA President & CEO, Laurie Goganzer. (February 2021)
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas: YMCAs host free vaccine registration clinics. (February 2021)
YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA: Community Partnership Provides COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing in One Location. (January 2021)
Boothbay Region YMCA, Maine, USA: A Midcoast town has finished setting up their COVID-19 vaccination site. (January 2021)
Equal access to all
Press release: CVS Health, Lyft and YMCA team for equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccination site (February 2021)
The National Council of YMCAs of Korea launched the “Vaccine for Peace Campaign” to ensure everybody in the world has an equal access to the vaccine. (February 2021)