CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with several organizations to inform soccer fans on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during the Mexico vs. Ecuador match on October 27th at Bank of America Stadium.
Health officials say this engagement effort is intended to help promote COVID-19 vaccination among the Hispanic and Latinx community.
As part of the effort, officials say information about COVID-19 vaccines will be shared throughout the day.
Health officials say this includes:
- Media interviews and a fan meet-and-greet with former Mexico World Cup defender and team captain, Claudio Suarez. Known as ‘El Emperador,’ Suarez is one of the world leaders in international appearances — representing the MNT on 178 occasions, including the 1994, 1998 and 2006 World Cups.
- A pre-game tailgate party hosted by the North Carolina chapter of Pancho Villa’s Army, the largest supporter group for the Mexican National Team.
- A mobile, on-site COVID-19 vaccine unit at AT&T Fútbol Fiesta.
- Informational tables with representation from Healthier Together and other local Hispanic/Latinx community-based organizations.
- Fan giveaways.
- In-game educational opportunities such as vaccine videos and digital graphics integrated into fan’s gameday experience.
“We’ve made great progress in getting vaccines to Hispanic and Latinx communities across North Carolina, but we still have more work to do to ensure everyone is protected from the serious illness and complications that can result from COVID-19 infection,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “As a big soccer fan, I am particularly excited about this partnership where we can work together to share accurate information about the vaccines and keep people healthy.”
Eligible residents can get their COVID vaccine at the mobile vaccine unit set up with tents inside AT&T Fútbol Fiesta at Romare Bearden Park, and vaccines will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Health officials say Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson brand vaccines will all be available, as well as booster shots.
Officials say the soccer match between the Mexico and Ecuador men’s national teams will begin at 8:30 p.m., and the tailgate party is expected to take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at parking lot 3 located at the intersection of West Morehead and South Mint Streets.
Click here to get tickets to the match.
