Church, community organizations bring vaccine to those who need it most

While thousands of people have gotten their COVID-19 vaccination in drive-through events like those at PNC Arena last week, Wake County leaders are refining their efforts to reach those who could not make it and those who hesitate for any reason.

Deborah Bowden got her vaccine at church.

“I feel so much better. I do. I feel better,” she said.

Outreach to religious communities is one way that Wake County leaders are reaching out to historically marginalized communities.

Matt Calabria, chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, said extra effort has to be made to reach marginalized communities “because of the high number of cases and limited access to quality medical care."

He and others intend to vaccinate thousands by bringing the vaccine to them. The county has teamed with churches and community organizations – even fraternities and sororities - to make it happen.

Eliazar Posada, of El Centro Hispano, says technology, a language barrier and concerns about citizenship questions make some in the Hispanic community hesitant to see the vaccine. She is working with health officials to build trust with the people they hope to help.

"They understand the language they are speaking and they know how to address our folks," she said.