Protecting the community: School bus drivers, church members among those vaccinated
Several clinics were held across the city and county from March 22-26, lessening the inconvenience for people who might not otherwise be able to receive the injection to protect against COVID-19.
As USA Health continues efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible in the region, several clinics were held across the city and county from March 22-26, lessening the inconvenience for people who might not otherwise be able to receive the injection to protect against COVID-19.
On March 22 and 26, USA Health staff vaccinated members of the transportation department for the Mobile County Public School System, traveling to two transportation centers for early-morning clinics on Halls Mill Road and Howells Ferry Road.
On March 25, first- and second-dose vaccines were offered at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Cody Road in west Mobile, where members of the congregation have not gathered inside their sanctuary for more than a year because of the global health pandemic. The drive-through event was held in partnership with the City of Mobile and area leaders. So far, nearly 2,000 have been vaccinated at these community-based clinics.
Doris Dortch, a mother and grandmother, was among the grateful residents who received a shot.
“It brings tears to my eyes being able to receive the vaccine,” Dortch said. “I can’t wait to get back to normal life where I can hug my grandchildren, church members and friends. We all miss each other.”
Sitting in her car as she waited for the injection, Dortch said she decided to get vaccinated to protect herself, her friends and especially her family: “We’re all in this together, so we all have to do our part.”
Robert Halbrook, 57, an inspector with the school system’s transportation department, received his first vaccine dose on March 26, surrounded by dozens of bright yellow buses at the transportation hub in west Mobile.
“My dad is 77 years old, and I want to be careful,” Halbrook said. “My dad is a retired school bus driver, and my son is 14. I really did it for them and to set a good example. Why not be safe?”
Since Dec. 15, 2020, USA Health has provided more than 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those deemed eligible through the Alabama Department of Public Health. Up to 1,000 doses of vaccine are given each day, Monday through Friday, at the Mobile Civic Center Arena in downtown Mobile.
USA Health’s online registry is a fast and efficient way for eligible people to arrange for appointments to be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Mobile Civic Center arena.
Those who want to make an appointment can sign up here: usahealthvaccines.com.
