FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - Jesse Lawson had been waiting weeks for a call informing him of when he could get his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He finally received a call for an appointment, but the caller was not someone he expected when scheduling a vaccine appointment.
“Romelia Hodges, who I have known for a few years now,” Lawson said of the caller. “I have just kind of waited patiently until I was contacted.”
On Wednesday (Feb. 24), Lawson finally received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a special clinic aimed at vaccinating the African-American population of Marion County. Hodges is a member of the COVID-19 Advisory Commission on African American Disparities, which formed last year because the Black population of the state was not being tested for COVID at the same rate as caucasians. Hodges said the rate at which Black people are being vaccinated is also low when compared to the White population.
“African-Americans are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from the COVID-19 virus, and almost three times more likely to be hospitalized,” Hodges said. “I am doing every effort that I can to make sure we are reducing that disparity and holding on to some of our loved ones in the community.”
About 100 Black residents of Marion County community were vaccinated Wednesday, which Lloyd White, administrator of the Marion County Health Department, said was made possible thanks to Hodges, her fellow Advisory Commission member Tiffany Walker Samuels and Bill Crouch, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
“For whatever reason, the vaccination intake is very low in the African-American community,” White said. “I had conversations about what we could do to increase the rates within the African-American community, and working with Romelia Hodges to make sure that happens is why we are here today.”
The clinic was still aimed at an older demographic - individuals over the age of 50 - which Hodges said is an important group to vaccine in a community clinic because many may not know how to register online. Hodges said she and Walker Samuels were able to take away that technology divide and contact people directly to offer them the vaccine.
“We went in those pockets of the community that would be underserved because there is a digital divide with broadband,” Hodges said. “We took that technical divide from them and became the technical connector for this particular program.”
Gladine Barner had been waiting to get the vaccine, but was unsure of how long it would take before she would be able to get it. Due to the focus on community outreach the clinic was based on, Barner was able to get the vaccine, which she said she is thankful for.
“It took a little while, but we had several folks that knew I was interested, so they did some calling and contacted different people,” Barner said. “I would like to tell anybody and everybody, you need to do it. I’m very thankful.”
Barner also said she was impressed at how well the clinic was organized because she was able to get in and out relatively quickly. Lawson, too, said he had a good experience, and was happy to see so many organizations work together on one clinic.
“I’ve got to say I’m impressed by how smooth it is, how well-coordinated it is,” Lawson said. “There’s no long lines, and there are multiple organizations. You’ve got the military, the MVA, the Health Department, Romelia, a community person, so it’s the way all of it is coming together.”
White said Marion County will continue hosting vaccine clinics in the coming weeks, but he is unsure if vaccine distribution to chain pharmacies will impact the number of doses given to local health departments. Gov. Jim Justice recently announced chain pharmacy companies, such as CVS and Walgreens, will soon be offering the vaccinations.
“Our whole state, I think, is going to get a little bit less,” White said. “It’s my understanding that Walgreens and other pharmacies are getting the vaccine, so to be honest, I don’t know if that is going to deduct from the state allotment.”
Hodges said this will probably not be the only vaccine clinic aimed at the Black population of Marion County because there are still many who need to be registered. She believes these community outreach-based clinics are the best way to make a dent in vaccinating the Black population, and she wants to ensure she continues to be a part of the outreach.
“That’s what it’s going to take,” Hodges said. “It’s going to take the long arm of community organizers who know their community to reach out into those pockets that are underserved, and make sure their names get on the list.”
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