ABINGTON, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Black church pastors in Montgomery County are taking the lead in an effort to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and they’re encouraging hospitals to use their spaces.
“It’s good to have everybody back in church. This is the most people we’ve had here in about a year and for good reason,” said Rev. Marshall Mitchell, pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Abington.
On Tuesday, a few dozen people socially distanced in pews and stood outside waiting as the church sanctuary was transformed into a vaccine distribution site.
“We know that there is real resistance and reticence in Black and Brown communities when it comes to the vaccine and for good reasons,” he said.
The effort came thanks to a partnership between a coalition of Montgomery County congregations and Holy Redeemer Hospital, which donated doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
The pastors, including Mitchell, Rev. Alyn Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Rev. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel AME Church, Bishop Dwayne Royster of POWER, and others, say they are opening their church sanctuaries to the counties to serve as trusted vaccination spaces to encourage vaccine acceptance within the African American community.
“You know it’s been concerning to me to see some of the data that’s coming back where even African American health care workers aren’t getting vaccinated,” said Ken Lawrence, a commissioner in Montgomery County who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and was asymptomatic.
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He said the county is committed to getting the vaccine to Black communities and will do what is necessary to reach people.
“I encourage all clergy to be the first to get their shot,” said Rev. Bill Collier, president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity.
He joined the pastors in expressing the need for churches to show the community that God and science were not exclusive of one another.
The religious leaders want medical officials to use churches as a way to reach the most vulnerable.
“If hospitals or health care institutions need space and they are wondering how they reach Black and Brown people,” said Mitchell, “you’ve got to go where the people are. Find them at church, find them at institutions that they trust.”
At 84, Barbara Fennell was one of the first in line to get her vaccine at Salem Baptist. Her son Ken Fennell said he lost an uncle to COVID-19 in recent days.
“And she’s been really apprehensive,” he said.
For her, getting the shot means freedom.
“I’ll feel better about going out, at least than I have been,” she said, smiling.
“This is the first time I’ve done it in a church,” said Erica Gregg, one of the medical professionals who works for Holy Redeemer Hospital. She received the vaccine in December and had one thing to say.
“If you are able to get the vaccine, get it,” Gregg said, “point blank, period.”