Connecticut, already the first state with a .500 batting average after vaccinating 50 percent of adults, will try to do even better by offering vaccines at the first six Hartford Yard Goats home games this month at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
Hartford HealthCare will provide any eligible fan a vaccination — with the Yard Goats adding as an incentive a voucher for tickets to four additional games and a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card — the team announced Wednesday at a press conference that also included Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeff Flaks.
“A big part of the reason we’re able to get back to the ballpark is the number of fans getting vaccinations,” said Yard Goats President Tim Restall. “Like baseball, it’s a numbers game. We want to be part of the solution.”
Flaks said Hartford HealthCare anticipates at least 100 people per game will get vaccinated. The Yard Goats’ first home game, May 11 against the Portland Sea Dogs, begins a 12-game homestand. Fans can either make an appointment for a vaccination through the MyChartPLUS portal or simply walk up.
“If there’s more need and more demand,” he said, “we will do whatever is necessary to bring more vaccines. Whether it’s in pop-up centers and parking lots, whether it’s in churches or community centers or now in this ballpark, this is how we’re going to change healthcare.”
Blumenthal said every effort, no matter how big or small, would be needed to reach President Biden’s goal of 70 percent of the nation’s adult population vaccinated by July 4.
“Let’s face it,” he said. “To meet the president’s goal, every single tactic of outreach is going to have to be used. And this one is at the top of the list.”
In Connecticut, after surpassing the 50 percent vaccination threshold, Lamont is now targeting a new, and perhaps reluctant, demographic.
“We still have a long way to go,” he said. “We’ve got to work hard with younger people, the so-called invincibles. That’s why this promotion is so incredible.”