WakeMed heads to church to vaccinate public

Some communities are getting hit harder in this pandemic than others. Often times, they are also the ones with less access to vaccines.

Mitch Summerfield, pastor of Word of God Fellowship Church in Southeast Raleigh, says people in the area are often up against housing issues, food insecurity and lack of healthcare.

"I knew our community was struggling," Summerfield said.

Then the call came with help. It was WakeMed.

Dr. Rasheeda Monroe with WakeMed helped organize a team to vaccinate people at clinics set up at 17 churches in Wake County, in some of the communities most devastated by the virus.

"It only makes sense that you go where you can be most impactful," Monroe said. "So many of these seniors have been living in anxiety and fear, they have watched their family members pass."

Mercedes Lopez made hundreds of calls – trying to get the shot, with no luck. Until she heard about the clinic at Word of God.

"My son belongs to this church and he sent me a link, and here I am," Lopez said. Her husband, in a nursing home, suffered through the virus. He made it, but it was rough.

"He had gotten COVID, it was very scary," Lopez said. "I know a lot of people who have died from this disease and this virus. It is horrible and it is scary. And I am feeling really good right now, I really am."

Dr. Monroe says 150 vaccinators and volunteers are helping in the effort in Wake County.

More than 1,800 seniors were vaccinated Saturday, including one woman who is 105 years old.