CHESAPEAKE, Va.— Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is partnering with a coalition of African American pastors to provide 2,000 vaccinations to the community on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pastors from 20 African American churches and four social organizations have joined Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to provide 2,000 scheduled COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccination event will include assistance from medical students at EVMS.
Members of the community who are 65 and older in Phase 1b vaccination group will have priority. The two-day event will be held at Bethany Baptist Church located at 2587 Campostella Road.
“It is imperative that we make efforts within high-risk communities like South Norfolk as the rate of hospitalizations and deaths among its black residents and persons of color are disproportionately higher than other races,” says Reese Jackson, President & CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
Since the COVID-19 vaccines became available in December, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare has provided thousands of vaccines for health care workers and community members.
Additionally, the organization provides vaccines at Chesapeake Rx in South Norfolk weekly and provides space on its Chesapeake campus where the Chesapeake Health Department and other physician groups in Chesapeake continue to hold vaccination clinics.