ATLANTA, Ga. — Leaders in the community are taking steps to find opportunities for minorities to get vaccinated. A vaccination site in northwest Atlanta created a “health equity” initiative to aid in this effort. Problems with access and uneasiness concerning vaccinations are just two of the reasons people of color are vaccinated less than other Americans. If minorities cannot get to the vaccine site, this program will bring the vaccine to them.
Judy Vigay finally got her shot when someone out of the blue called about vaccination.
“Asked if I was interested in it. ‘Most definitely,’ I said, ‘yes’. They made arrangements for my transportation,” Vigay said.
Morehouse School of Medicine President Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice hosted a roundtable with Gov. Brian Kemp on how to improve vaccine availability and acceptance in minority communities.
“We certainly had a frank discussion today about vaccine hesitancy, not only in African American communities but brown communities as well, and we are focused on that,” Kemp said.
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Fulton County is setting aside 2500 vaccine shots per month for African American seniors and the county will target those seniors who face barriers getting to appointments, according to Robb Pitts, Board of Commissioners chairman.
“There are people who don’t have computers, who don’t have the time or ability to make phone calls,” Pitts said.
The health department will send a vaccine strike team into underserved communities.
“We use our mobile vans to go out to various venues including senior centers to vaccinate people on site,” Anna Roach, Fulton County COO, said.
Community leaders will reach out to churches to find seniors who wants the vaccine but cannot get one for whatever reason.
“Our faith leaders are a source for referrals of seniors of color into this program as well,” Roach said.
County leaders will open a vaccine site in College Park to make access easier.
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