14 Minnesota barbershops, salons participating in ‘Shots at the Shop’
The 'Shots at the Shop' is a national initiative to engage barbershops and beauty salons in communities all across the country in the effort to ensure that their communities have immunity from COVID-19. Locally, Wilson's Image Barbers & Stylists is partnering with Black Nurses Rock and the Minnesota Department of Health to offer COVID-19 vaccines in their community. [Minnesota Department of Health]
Gov. Tim Walz announced that 14 Minnesota barbershops and salons are participating in President Joe Biden’s "Shots at the Shop" initiative, a nationwide program to engage Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons in supporting local vaccine education and outreach efforts.
Through the White House initiative, participating barbers and stylists receive a small grant and attend an online training on how to provide factual information about the vaccine to their clients.
Shops will engage customers with information about the vaccines and display educational materials.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has partnered with Black Nurses Rock to offer financial and logistical support to barbershops and salons that wish to host on-site vaccination events.
Minnesotans are currently able to be vaccinated at one of the barbershops in the metro area offering free, walk-in vaccinations:
- Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists
- 2124 1/2 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Every Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Ending Saturday, Aug. 21
MDH released a video highlighting the effort at Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists. View that video below or here if using the KSTP app.
"The COVID-19 vaccines save lives and every conversation that shares that message matters," Walz said. "Anyone can be a strong advocate for these vaccines — whether you’re a doctor advising patients, a sibling talking to a loved one, or a barber cutting your neighbor’s hair. Thank you to everyone participating in the ‘Shots at the Shop’ initiative for helping to meet people where they are and encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and get their shot."
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan added, "Trusted messengers in the community who share the safety, efficacy, and critical importance of getting the COVID vaccine are key to keeping our loved ones and neighbors safe. I am deeply grateful for all the barbershops and local public health workers teaming up to bring awareness, convenience and ease to getting vaccinated."
‘Shots at the Shop’ is a White House-backed effort from the University of Maryland’s Maryland Center for Health Equity, the Black Coalition Against COVID, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the beauty and personal care brand SheaMoisture to recruit and select 1,000 Black-owned barbershops and hair salons nationwide to help provide information about COVID-19 vaccinations.
The initiative builds on the work of Dr. Stephen Thomas who for 15 years has worked to highlight how barbershops and beauty salons can be critical and culturally-relevant portals for health education and the delivery of public health and medical services.
"Barber shops and beauty salons are a place to talk about a lot of things going on in your life — and health is one of them," said Dr. Nathan Chomilo, COVID-19 vaccine equity director at MDH. "For those who have yet to get their COVID-19 shot, we need to continue to show up with reliable information, address their concerns, and then continue to minimize barriers to getting their shot when they are ready. The Department of Health is committed to supporting this initiative and is continuing to support community vaccination sites across the state."