Seminole County giving COVID-19 vaccinations at places of worship

Seminole County giving COVID-19 vaccinations at churches this week

Seminole County officials discuss vaccine distribution at local churches and congregations.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - Seminole County is making strides to expand its COVID-19 vaccination operation to underserved areas by partnering with local places of worship.
 
For example, on Monday, seniors due for their second COVID-19 shot arrived at the East Coast Believers Church in Oviedo. It is one of many faith-based facilities offering up their space a few times a month.

"Some people with tears in their eyes said, 'thank you so much for hosting the vaccination site here.' Some of them said, 'I haven’t been out of my house for months. This is the first time I’ve been out for a vaccination.' So, for us, as a church, it gives us great happiness and joy that people in our community are being helped and they are feeling blessed by being here," Pastor Ray DuBois of East Coast Believers said.

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County officials said whether it’s a church, temple, or mosque, they are asking faith-based facilities to volunteer as hosts for vaccination clinics.
 
"After going to 18 community events like this so far -- that we need to get out into the community because not everyone can get to the mall, our main pod there for vaccines --  hence why we’re expanding our efforts with faith-based organizations," Donna Walsh, of the Florida Department of Health Seminole County explained.

Officials said that according to their data, underserved populations are not getting vaccinated and they hope this expansion effort will help bridge the gap. 

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"It helps our low fixed income, it helps our transportation disadvantaged communities, it helps individuals of different faiths and people with language barriers," Seminole County Emergency Management Director Alan Harris said.

 The county said that they have already made more than 400 visits to homebound individuals and plan to deploy mobile units to rural areas of the county soon.

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