Immigrants Struggle with Language Barriers to Vaccination

Jasmin Martin was at a Duane Reade on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. Her mother, Betty Caballero, had just been vaccinated. The process of coming in and getting her shot was fairly quick, said Martin — but only because she speaks English. Her mother does not.

"I’m computer savvy," said Martin. "She’s over 70 at this point. I think it’s very difficult for non-English speaking people who are over a certain age to get an appointment done."

The existing system presents "huge, huge, huge barriers, starting with language," said Annetta Seecharran, the executive director of Chhaya CDC, a nonprofit that represents immigrants in the area.