NORFOLK, Va. – A health clinic in Norfolk that cares for the underserved has just started distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
The Sentara Ambulatory Care Center started vaccinations Wednesday. They invited some of their current patients who fall in the 1-B category. Those are frontline workers, over 65 years of age or have underlying health conditions that put them at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
“We want to make sure we are, one, reducing the disparity in terms of healthcare access for those residents and also we want to increase the equity in terms of them being able to have access to the vaccine,” stated Toy Coffey-Perkins, Manager of Patient Care Services for the Ambulatory Care Center.
The Sentara clinic gets its supply from Norfolk Sentara Hospital and works with Eastern Virginia Medical School. So far, it has received 200 vaccines and is contacting current patients to make appointments.
Carlos Kearney received his shot and seemed to be good with his decision.
“I received more information that made me more comfortable taking it, and I figure it was a needed thing for health reasons,” Kearney explained.
Patient Marvin Booth admitted he doesn’t like needles, but said he was ready.
Booth expressed, “It’s time for everybody to get it and I’m tired of these masks!”
Sentara said it may take them up to two weeks to distribute the vaccines. Once patients have received their first dose, they are being scheduled for the second and final dose before they leave the clinic.
