Jefferson teams up with Germantown community groups for COVID vaccine clinic
Hard to find good news in Germantown these days. Lots of businesses hurting. Lots of folks going hungry. Plenty of heartache to go around.
One bit of good news is coming to the First Presbyterian church on Friday April 9, as Jefferson University Hospital teams up with the Local Community Resource Center and the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry to provide COVID vaccinations to 200 Gtown residents.
The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine will help recipients take a big step back toward normal life; back to families, back to friends. Particularly so for the many seniors who’ve already registered. They’ve been the group hit hardest in terms of deaths, but also in terms of loneliness and depression during this seemingly endless lockdown.
To add to the optimism of the vaccination, organizers Sheena Thompson and Lenora Gaillard, of the Local Community Resource Center, plan to make the event as festive as possible – as in red carpet style festive.
“You see so many people waiting in vaccine lines on TV that look like they’re going to the dentist to get their teeth drilled,” she said. “This should be a celebration. We could all use some good news. And nothing says special event like a red carpet.” Also snacks, music, beverages and goodie bags, which Sheena, Lenora and their team are putting together for all those who get the shot.
The other reason for the festivity is to allay the fears of those who are suspicious of the vaccine. “Some people think it’s gonna do all sorts of crazy things to them.” But by seeing others do it, Sheena hopes it’ll inspire confidence to get the shot themselves. “It’s natural to want to wait and see sometimes, but all the talk in the world won’t help more than actually seeing people in your community getting the shot and having a fun time doing it.”
Sheena hopes this celebration won’t be the last. “It’s our first time doing this and we’re hoping it can be a template for more vaccinations going forward. We’re hoping to get shots into as many Germantown arms as possible.”
As of this writing, there were still slots available for those 65+ or with any of the following “high-risk” conditions. Contact Sheena Thompson at the Local Community Resource Center for the latest info and more details. (267-428-3520 or email CRC@nwlocalpaper.com)
Vaccine eligibility (high-risk conditions):
- Long-term care facility residents
- Health care personnel
- Clinical personnel in school settings or correctional facilities
- Contractual healthcare providers not directly employed by the health care facility
- Persons not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious material that can transmit disease among or from health care personnel and patients.
- Persons ages 16-64 with high-risk conditions:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
COVID Vaccination Event
When: April 9, 2021 (9AM to 3PM)
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 35 W Chelten Ave. 19144
Contact info: Call 267-428-3520 or email CRC@nwlocalpaper.com
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