Gastonia COVID-19 vaccination clinics seek to reach Hispanic community
The staff at Medical Center Pharmacy in Gastonia has been partnering with the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services to ensure language barriers do not get in the way of Hispanic residents getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
Once a month since November, the pharmacy has conducted vaccination clinics during Mount Zion's Restoration Church's food pantry, as a way to connect with the Hispanic community.
"The church has a huge number of people who come and get food, so knowing that, we wanted to take the opportunity to come and encourage people to get vaccinated," said pharmacy intern Graham Sprinkles, who has been with Medical Center Pharmacy since April.
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Gaston Department of Health and Human Services Latinx coordinator Diana Willman, who is of Colombian descent, has been present at each clinic to ensure those with a language barrier will be comfortable and unafraid.
"Some people do not understand what is going on, and that can be because they don't speak English. So, it is important for them to see someone who looks like them and who is able to communicate using their native language," Willman said.
As of Jan. 10, 49% of the Hispanic residents living in Gaston County are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Aside from the doses needed to be considered "fully vaccinated," booster shots are also available free of charge in the clinics.
"With everything that they are saying in the news, it's hard not to be scared," Gastonia resident Gloria Perez said in Spanish, "I want to be able to protect my family and myself, so I had to take advantage and get it today."
Perez found out about the clinic while pulling up to get food at the church's pantry. With the help of Wilman, Perez was able to obtain her booster.
"I live nearby and noticed hundreds of cars in line to get food, and while waiting in the line, I saw a flier in Spanish that said they were also offering free vaccinations and booster shots in the other side of the church, so I decided to take advantage," Perez continued.
While obtaining her vaccination, Perez expressed the relief she felt in taking the steps to protect her four boys, ages 22,16,11, and 6.
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To further connect with other minorities in Gaston County, who often come to the church to obtain food every Thursday, the clinic has gotten the support of the department's African-American liaison Cynthia Stitt.
As a member of the church and county health representative, Stitt is able to encourage minorities to take the opportunity to protect themselves against the virus.
"Having liaisons ensures we reach diverse communities," said Stitt, "Some may not trust the clinics and other medical centers because they may be unsure of what is going on, but by being in an environment they trust, while seeing people that look like them obtaining those vaccines, they become a bit more trusting."
Aside from free vaccinations, members of the Hispanic community are able to obtain boxes of food as well, thanks to the church's successful food pantry that is conducted every Thursday from 8 a.m. until noon at 2311 Crescent Lane.
"Not only are they being made aware of the vaccinations but also the food, which is a big help when you are of low income. This is important for our community and we just want people to know that we are here and that we are available to help," Willman said.
Beatriz Guerrero can be reached at 704-86-1828 or on Twitter@BeatrizGue_
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston NC clinics working to get COVID vaccine to Hispanic community
