ELIZABETH CITY, N.C., - Elizabeth City State University announces the launch a COVID-19 vaccination clinic that will not only support the ECSU campus community, but the entire region.
The clinics will be held on campus at the K.E. White Graduate Center and other locations throughout the university’s 21-county service area.
"We have a responsibility, we believe, as a regional partner to support the local health department's efforts in providing vaccinations to the region," said Alyn Goodson, ECSU's Vice Chancellor of Operations.
Phase 1 will include students, staff, and faculty. Vaccination events will be held April 6-8 and April 13-15 from noon to 7 p.m. Everyone must register in advance. Attendees can call 877-505-6723, option 7, to register.
Goodson said registering in advance will allow those working in the clinic to keep traffic under control.
For individuals registering online, select the State of North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccinations as the location, complete the form, and select Pasquotank County for county for of residence.
Phase 2 focuses on the entire region, and future clinic dates are pending. Those dates will be announced a week prior to the start date. A mobile clinic is also in the works to reach rural areas.
"We will not only have vaccinations here on our campus, but we will launch mobile sites all out throughout the region to make sure that there is access to these important vaccines," said Goodson. "Not everyone has the ability to be able to travel to Elizabeth City State's vaccination site and that's why we thought mobile units would be great because we can go to them."
Goodson said deploying multiple sites for people to gain access to COVID-19 vaccinations aligns with the university's mission to be a partner for the community.
According to the university, ECSU encourages students to get vaccinated, but it is not a requirement.
ECSU is partnering with OptumServe who is providing vaccines on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services around the state.
Sunshine Station, Inc. is assisting with organizing community partnerships. ECSU will also partner with the NAACP and the disaster relief and resource organization Day One Relief.
"If you have been following the news you know that trust is a big issue especially for communities of color but we have been partnering with community organizations to help us build trust," he said. "They have been committed to helping us get the word out and making sure the correct information is making its way to the community."
ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon is expected to receive her vaccine this week.
In a news release she said, "receiving this vaccine is so important to our entire community to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and we want to encourage everyone to get their shot. Vaccinations will help us send students home safely in May and return to normal operations in the fall. We are encouraging everyone to do their part to help end the pandemic and give students the opportunity to have a complete college experience."
State officials say students are eligible for the vaccines as of March 31 and all adults will be eligible beginning April 7.
Goodson said, "if you're interested in getting vaccinated please make sure you do your homework, make sure you are aware of what it can do for you and educate yourselves. I think that's an important part of the process."
More information can be found here.
