APPLETON (NBC 26) — As health officials continue to stress the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations, community leaders in Northeast Wisconsin are doing what they can to make vaccines more accessible for everyone.
In Appleton, a black-owned pharmacy is doing what they can to help more people of color get the vaccine.
“I think we understand the culture. When they come here it’s like coming home,” said Jude Jean Pierre, pharmacist and the owner of RX Link.
Thanks to his efforts and the help of other community leaders, they were able to be the host for this vaccination site.
As an incentive for the vaccine they were also giving $10 vouchers to use in-store.
African Heritage Inc. was also giving out free t-shirts.
“Even though we focus on the minority community that doesn’t limit ourselves to providing care to our community which is a mosaic that contains all sorts of groups, genders and sort forth,” Pierre said.
For Anthony Perez he was one of dozens who came out to get his first dose.
Perez’s wife, Amanda said she had been pleading with her husband for months to get vaccinated.
“I’ve been begging him since they said it was coming out, even when it was just healthcare workers I was like you have to get it. He’s terrified of needles. Like completely anti-needles. Like just hearing the word shot, you can see the sweat visibly on his face,” Amanda Perez said.
After much contemplation, Anthony finally mustered up his courage and got the shot.
“She’s the reason why I got the vaccine, so I’m happy that I got it done,” said Anthony as he was holding up his newborn baby girl.
Together community leaders and the public continue to work towards one common mission, to make sure everyone has a fair and just access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
