Learning Undefeated’s Drop Anywhere Labs are making a big impact in the COVID-19 vaccination effort, as part of DC Health’s “Faith in the Vaccine” program. This community-based effort to vaccinate vulnerable senior populations in Wards 5, 7, and 8 is profiled on NBC-4 news (WRC-TV, Washington, DC).
Outside the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, a small shipping container having a big impact. It’s being used as a vaccine site for senior citizens, like Eddie and Ernestine Hamilton. “It feels good, because we’ve been trying, you know we kept calling the DC Health Line and nothing was happening.”
She says when they called the church, they got an appointment on the first try. It’s all part of a new pilot program in DC called “Faith in Vaccines” using places of worship to build trust in the vaccine.
Pastor Kendrick Curry: “It’s just a great thing to be able to say to your neighbors, come to the church and get vaccinated.”
Now the church here already has plenty of experience helping out during the pandemic. They’ve been offering COVID testing for months. Reverend Curry says his goal is to increase access, especially in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. Pastor Curry – “Because there’s a disproportionate number of people of African American descent, Latinx descent that are dying as a result of coronavirus.”
The DC Health Department says soon they hope to open more vaccine sites at other places of worship too.
Eddie/Ernestine Hamilton – “I think that was a great idea. And I did tell some of my neighbors and they’re gonna call.”Unknown – “I’m glad I took it. I hope others come out and take it.”
Original Air Date: February 11, 2021.
