DETROIT (WWJ) -- Religious leaders across the metro Detroit area are joining forces to encourage their congregations to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Council of Baptist Pastors in metro Detroit have kicked off a new campaign they hope will save lives and continue the fight against the virus, which has gripped the city and most of the world for nearly a year and a half.
The campaign is simply called Take the Shot and Council President Dr. Steve Bland Jr. says approximately 50 churches across Detroit and the surrounding areas will be offering a place for community members who have not yet been vaccinated to do so.
“This process over these next several weeks is designed to make a statement to the community that if you’re looking for a place to take the shot, we want you to know there’s a safe place in every community,” Bland told WWJ.
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He says “there’s an open door at church” for people to get tested and vaccinated.
In addition to 50 metro area churches serving as COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, the Take the Shot campaign will also include video and print messaging, with the hope being that the church -- which has historically had strong influence within the black community -- can help alleviate any skepticism surrounding vaccines.
Officials say just 40% of African-Americans in Detroit have been vaccinated, and Bland Jr. hopes their campaign will help increase that number.
“Of the persons who are dying and becoming gravely ill from this virus that continues to ravage our community,” Bland tells WWJ, “99% of the people dying now are unvaccinated. Therefore we must make sure we do the simple math, and that is to put yourself in the category of people who are safe.”
Vaccines will be offered at various churches at various times throughout the day and evening. A list of participating churches will be posted on the council’s website, detroitbaptistcouncil.com.
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