From family doctors to skate park, Durham making it easier to get COVID-19 vaccine
The push is on in Durham to give people the COVID-19 vaccine. A local pediatrician’s office is joining the effort to vaccinate older teenagers and their families.
It’s all part of a unique strategy to get shots into the arms of as many people as possible.
Chapel Hill Pediatrics is typically a place for parents to come bring their children for check-ups, and other annual shots. On Tuesday, its office in Durham was transformed into a vaccination clinic in an effort to build trust and accessibility among young people.
Pediatricians want those fears to stop. It’s nothing new, every year these doctors work to educate families about the latest vaccines.
"We see teens who are very excited to get vaccinated. And then we have others who are very hesitant as well," said Dr. Mary Braithwaite, of Chapel Hill Pediatrics.
It was important to Braithwaite to help knock down barriers this year and make sure teenagers are now front in line to get a COVID-19 shot.
“We want to target the young people because they are among those who are getting COVID right now, and a lot of schools are back in person," she said. "They can come to a place where they feel comfortable they know us. This is a familiar space."
Prince Rivers IV, who attends Riverside High School, said it's been hard not being in school. The 16-year-old came with his dad to get a shot at the new clinic.
"The rate of infections is not going down as much as I’d like to see," his father, Prince Rivers III, said. "More young people are being infected. So when my son was eligible, I made sure he participated in getting the shot
Another familiar place in the Bull City is trading out skates for shots. Wheels Fun Park hosted its first walk-in clinic Tuesday. Duke Health plans to sponsor many more in the future.
“It’s fun. A lot of people in the community have fond memories here, so it’s a good place to come if you’re a little nervous or not really sure," said Natalie Krohl, Duke's team lead at the vaccine clinic.
Across Durham County, there are more shots available than people making appointments, so the county health department has begun making it easier to get one.
Anyone over 16 can call 919-560-HELP (4357) to schedule an appointments at the Durham County Department of Public Health, 414 E. Main St., or Wheels Fun Park.
On Thursday and Friday, first-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine will be available, first-come, first-served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 414 E. Main St.
