PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A group of Black doctors has sought to shift discussion about the COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect as many people as possible.
The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium began giving doses of the coronavirus vaccine to residents of North Philadelphia who are at higher risk of catching the virus.
Dr. Ala Stanford, the group's founder, said they are focused on primarily the African American community, since they’ve been hit the hardest by the virus in both cases and deaths.
"We had 500 doses from the city, we administered 489 vaccines. We had none wasted," said Stanford.
Although thousands signed up, Stanford said vaccination was on a first come, first serve basis at the Deliverance Evangelistic Church over the weekend.
The vaccines went to people in the 1b category, which includes critical essential workers like first responders, teachers and public transit workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their guidelines, so anyone 65 and older should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Stanford suggested asking two questions if you're nervous about the vaccine: is it more risky to get coronavirus or is it more risky to get the vaccine?
"For most folks it's a no-brainer, it's more risky to get coronavirus. You don't know if you're going to have a mild illness, or no symptoms or die," she said. "And statistically, if you're African American, your outcome will probably not be good."
Stanford said we need to "change the narrative" when it comes to the rumors surrounding the Black community's willingness to receive the vaccine. Based on analytics of the 8,000 people who signed up for the vaccine, she noted the majority are African American.
The Consortium regularly gives free coronavirus testing. The MLK Day of Service at Girard College will include testing from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday.