Unitex Hosts Mobile Vaccination Clinics at Four CT Plants

Ray Neal, regional operations manager for Connecticut at Unitex, kicked off 2022 with an effort to increase employee vaccination and booster rates. With more than 92% of Connecticut employees vaccinated, but with booster numbers lagging, Neal contacted the City of Hartford’s Department of Health and Human Services to arrange for mobile clinics to take place on-site at three of the company’s Connecticut plants.

Unitex connected with Celina Daigle at Griffin Health, who scheduled three separate days on-site at the Ledyard Street, Meadow Street and South Windsor locations. Griffin Health staff administered vaccinations or boosters to anyone 12 years or older of any of the three available vaccines (J&J, Pfizer or Moderna). Unitex opened up the clinic to all employees, family members and the public, resulting in over 170 vaccinations, most of which were boosters.

Neal was then contacted by Chelsea Neelon, communications director for the Lieutenant Governor’s office to schedule Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D) to attend a fourth vaccination clinic in Hartford along with U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-CT), State Rep. Ed Vargas (D); and Liany Elba Arroyo, Hartford Director of Health and Human Services. NBC 30 News and Fox 61 News crews covered the event, with each guest speaking about the importance of getting vaccinated and boostered.

Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz tweeted afterwards, “After reaching positivity rates over 20%, the best way to keep each other safe – besides masking up and social distancing – is by getting your vaccine and booster. Thanks to Unitex for prioritizing employee safety by hosting a vaccine site and providing essential PPE to CT hospitals!”

David Potack, president of Unitex, met with all of the government officials and led a tour of the facility where he highlighted the company’s diverse employees, almost all of whom live in Hartford; and also the work Unitex does supporting area hospitals.

After the tour, there was a press conference outside which was covered by all of the local media outlets and live streamed on Rep. Larson’s official government Facebook page. “A truly important event hosted by Unitex and spearheaded by Ray Neal. Thank you to Ray and everyone at Griffin Health for making this all possible,” Unitex said in a release highlighting the vaccine clinics.