OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — As new cases of the Omicron variant are continuing to be detected across the United States, concerns among many families are also continuing to grow.
As we learn more, health officials urge people to get vaccinated, get boosters, as the Omicron variant spreads and some areas see COVID surges.
Here in Northeast Wisconsin, local health officials and community partners are putting together a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
The holiday themed vaccination clinic was from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh. That address is 700 W Linwood Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
They distributed the Pfizer first, second, and booster doses for those that were eligible.
It was free and no identification or health insurance was required.
"I got my booster shot, yay!" said Oladimeji Tomori.
This clinic a safe place hoping to break down any barriers and just get people through the doors.
"There are people who are like 'I'm a little embarrassed because it's taken me this long to get my first dose'. Don't fear about that, every dose is an important dose," said Trish Sarvela, Partnership Community Health Center.
For Angela Hicks, she works with the Wisconsin Council on Churches and helped put this clinic together.
She said her mission is to get the unvaccinated vaccinated.
"I desire for communities to come together and begin to trust the healthcare system and let them know no matter the high end or low end that they matter," Hicks said.
She says she's doing her part by reaching out to communities of faith because just a few months ago she was part of the group who was unsure on whether the vaccine would be the best decision for her.
"When I was hesitant it was because of what people were saying. So once I found out I didn't really have a reason of being hesitant other than hearing what others were saying and then when I had the correct information presented to me it was a yes and then I was like I will share my story with others and help them," Hicks said.
And as earlier this week Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Fauci gave people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 the green light to celebrate the holidays with their families officials say now is the time to get vaccinated or boosted in order to add that extra level of protection before the holidays.
"It's important to just come in and get it done and this is an environment where's there no shame, there's no blame. It's not like where you've been, we've been doing first doses for months. No, it's a we're so glad you are here and how can we can connect you to the vaccine and all the other services you or someone in your life might need," Sarvela said.
