A beauty salon in the Valley has been converted into a vaccination facility to increase its spread among the Latino community.
PHOENIX – A beauty salon in Phoenix that has been converted into a COVID-19 vaccination distribution point to increase vaccination counts in the Latino community.
Georgina Zelaya Guerra’s beauty salon, Vicky’s, located near 31st Avenue and Van Buren Street, has served the community for 11 years.
During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, Vicky’s was forced to close for two months.
“We have lost so many friends, so many people, we have also lost customers,” said Guerra, who has also lost family members to the deadly virus. “We [felt] as if we had to do something for the community. “
With help from Arizona Complete Health, Adelante Healthcare, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and other local groups, Vicky’s has been turned into a pop-up vaccination event.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines were all available for administration.
In the run-up to the event, Guerra and her hairdressers took on a new role in getting a dose for each of their customers who were not vaccinated.
“Every day when a customer came to us and cut their hair, we would talk to them and say, ‘Did you? [get] have you vaccinated yet? ‘”said Guerra. “Many customers told me no, they don’t want it because they don’t believe or trust it.”
A total of 19 people were vaccinated, thanks in part to volunteers who even went to nearby businesses and rushed customers there to get their dose, like Mario Mendez picking up food with a friend at Tortas Paquime.
“I had the intention, but I didn’t know where or how to get vaccinated,” said Mendez. “Time was a factor too, so I waited to get it.”
Other customers who got their dose at the event last Saturday were Rigoberto Fernandez, 21, and his father.
“I have a lot of colleagues who have told me to get the vaccine and I told them I was just waiting, but now I have it,” Fernandez said.
Over the years of service, Vicky’s has developed a special bond between customers and employees, Guerra said.
Guerra said she believed a common culture and language made the event successful.
Guerra was 18 years old when she emigrated to the United States and graduated through hairdressing school to start her business. She said her customers know that.
“Having that connection with them and hosting events at the companies they visit most often is key to improving vaccination rates in the Latino community,” Guerra said.
Local organizations and state officials like Diego Espinoza told 12 News that they are working to hold similar events in other parts of the valley.
Though she suffered a financial loss by closing her salon on the busiest day of the week, Guerra said it was worth it.
“I have the feeling that if we do something for the community, we don’t care about the money, because in this situation [if sick], the money is not important and does not matter, ”said Guerra.
Covid-19 vaccination
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