Western NC Community Health Services is distributing the vaccine to vulnerable populations now, with broader distribution coming soon.
Today Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) released a new video to promote the COVID-19 vaccine, which is now available at their Minnie Jones Clinic in Asheville, NC. Currently WNCCHS is offering the vaccine to Group 1 Health Care Workers and Group 2 65 and older. Please visit the WNCCHS website (www.wncchs.org) for information on the vaccine.
The video features staff members from WNCCHS discussing the vaccine and the hope it brings to so many after nearly an entire year of the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical providers and staff featured speak to the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, discuss its potential side effects, and speak directly to the hesitation that some Americans, including those in marginalized communities, may be feeling about taking the vaccine. The video was produced in collaboration with the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE), which works toward lived and legal equality for LGBTQ Southerners.
Kim Wagenaar, Chief Executive Officer of Western NC Community Health Services, said today:
“We are proud to be able to provide the COVID-19 vaccine here at Western NC Community Health Services. Our staff and team have been thrilled to offer our patients and the Western NC community the hope and possibility of a brighter future as a result of the vaccine. Through this educational video segment we will help more of our patients understand that the vaccine is safe, tested, and effective so people across the region feel encouraged to be a part of this historic vaccination effort that can lift our country and the world out of the devastation of the pandemic.”
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said:
“This video helps address concerns we’ve been hearing from marginalized communities, including Black and Brown Southerners, LGBTQ people, and undocumented people. We’re honored to collaborate with our longtime community health partner WNCCHS to help get the word out about the vaccine and how important it is for people from every part of our community to access it for their safety and for our whole community’s safety.”
The video was filmed and edited by Liz Williams, CSE’s Southern Equality Studios Manager.
CSE and WNCCHS collaborate on the Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative, which works to increase health equity and access to affirming care.
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