Church holds clinic to help vaccinate migrant workers

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church vaccinated more than 125 people at a coronavirus vaccine clinic to reach Johnston's County's Hispanic community with support from Carroll Pharmacy, the state Department of Commerce and volunteer organizations.

The goal of the clinic was to focus on vaccinating members of Smithfield's Hispanic community, including migrant workers and their families.

Hispanic adults were overrepresented in coronavirus cases and deaths, research shows.

Daniel Robayo, a missioner for Latino Hispanic Ministries, said the Hispanic community has not had as much access to health information as they should.

"We have this partnership to try and reach as many people as possible," he said.

Many people in the Latino community want to get vaccinated, but are facing barriers. Research shows transportation, lack of health insurance and lack of information about the vaccine being free are reasons why they have not yet got their shot.

During the height of the pandemic, four in 10 Hispanic people reported they were essential workers and required to work outside their home. Recent polling shows that essential workers — people who work in construction, agriculture, transportation and the food and beverage industries — are most hesitant to get the coronavirus vaccine.

While most Hispanic adults are willing to get vaccinated, there is a "sizable share" of people in the community who are hesitant, KFF reports. Seven in 10 Hispanic Americans say they'd get the vaccine, compared to 46% of White respondents.

The last time Johnston County organizers held a clinic they administered 120 vaccines. Organizers expected even more people to arrive at the clinic on Sunday.