Governor Cooper encourages families to get vaccinated at Forsyth County

RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. visited and toured the family vaccination site at St. Peter's Church & World Outreach Center in Forsyth County. The family vaccination site, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), offers vaccines for children ages 5 and up and adults. 

“It’s important that people of all ages continue to get vaccinated and these clinics are a one stop shop for the entire family,” said Governor Cooper. “We’re grateful for local organizations that are partnering with the state to make sure everyone can get a life saving shot."

“The family vaccination sites make it easier for the whole family to get vaccinated. These sites, in areas with less access to pediatric services, have extended hours, Spanish language interpreters, and community health workers to answer vaccine-related questions,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “We know that kids can get sick from COVID, and the vaccine is a tested, safe and effective tool for protecting against serious illness in adults and children.”

St. Peter’s Church & World Outreach Center has long been focused on serving the Winston-Salem community through various service projects. In addition to hosting a vaccination site and getting people vaccinated, the church provides food and produce to neighboring communities and is holding a turkey and coat drive for the holidays.

“COVID-19 was a travesty to our world. Immediately the church had to determine how it would position itself to respond to this deadly virus. The Black church was placed in a precarious situation because of the virus’ polarizing impact on Black and brown communities,” said Pastor Mia Sloan, Executive Pastor at St. Peter’s Church & World Outreach Center. “As a result, it was vitally important for Senior pastor, Dr. James C. Hash, Sr. and the SPWOC congregation to become agents of advocacy, education and awareness pertaining to this virus. Because of that, the church committed to strategically collaborate its efforts to provide space for families who chose to be vaccinated. We often say that we do not fear the virus but we do respect it, and for that reason we commit our space and resources for great efforts like the vaccination clinics. As a church we are committed to the long haul of this work to ensure safety for all.”

The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services is working with sites across the state to distribute vaccines to historically marginalized communities. All family COVID-19 vaccination sites (pop-up sites) include formulations for people ages 5-11 and 12+ as well as booster shots, weekend/evening hours, Spanish interpretation services, partnerships with local transit, community health workers, coordinated communications outreach and physical access support. Now through Thanksgiving, any adult who brings someone to one of the nine Family Vaccination Site for their first dose will receive a $25 prepaid Mastercard to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.

NCDHHS has been working with pediatricians, family medicine providers, local health departments, pharmacies and other vaccine providers so they can administer a lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11.

North Carolinians can learn more about the state’s vaccine distribution at myspot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish). Visit NCDHHS’ page Walk-in Family Vaccination Sites to find a family vaccine event. Use NCDHHS’ online tool Find a Vaccine Location to find a nearby vaccination site. Call the state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 888-675-4567.

Video footage of this event will be available for media use here and here.

Photo coverage of this event will be available for media use here, credit to Walt Unks of the Winston-Salem Journal.