Family vaccination clinics offer protection against the COVID-19 virus

David Irvine, Henderson (N.C.) Daily Dispatch
·2 min read

Nov. 11—HENDERSON — Residents of Vance County and the surrounding area can get their COVID-19 shots at family vaccination clinics that will be in operation each week until mid-December.

Gang Free Inc. is holding vaccination clinics at which family members can receive the first and second COVID vaccines, as well as booster shots. All vaccinations are provided free of charge.

The clinics will be held at the Gang Free facility at 940 County Home Road each week on Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinics will be held on the same schedule every week through Dec. 18

The vaccination clinics are part of an effort by Gang Free to overcome barriers that prevent residents from being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

Gang Free is conducting the clinics in partnership with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and with Healthier Together, a public-private partnership that's promoting COVID-19 vaccinations for minority individuals and members of other historically marginalized populations.

Henderson City Councilwoman and Gang Free Executive Director Melissa Elliott said the vaccination clinics will serve the entire family, including children 5 to 11, adolescents 12 to 17, and all adults.

"Our partnerships with providers help make this possible," she added.

Vance County lags behind the state in the proportion of the population that has been vaccinated. Across the state, 72% of the adult population have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and 68% are fully vaccinated, according to DHHS reports.

In Vance County the rates are 66% and 61%, respectively.

Gang Free has been active on several fronts in combating the COVID-19 virus. Elliott said the organization has been "boots on the ground" since the onset of the pandemic, helping community members with food, testing, household items and personal protective equipment.

The state took notice of these initiatives.

According to Angela Bryant, assistant secretary for equity and inclusion at DHHS, the agency selected Gang Free for the roll-out of the family vaccination clinics in Vance County because of its contacts within the community and its ongoing relationships with provider organizations.