While minority communities have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve also been among the slowest to receive the vaccine.
An Oakland vaccine drive is trying to fight that trend.
Keith Menconi/KCBS Radio
The line to get the shot stretched well down the block at Brookins AME Church in East Oakland, as a local union group kicked off a four-day vaccination drive aiming to get 1,000 shots into the arms of local residents.
Cheering on the event was Oakland Mayor Libby Shaaf, who acknowledged that for many residents, getting to mass vaccination sites like the Coliseum has been too much of a barrier.
“It is sites like this one that are in the community – this is how we are going to get this done because this is coming to people where they are,” she said.
Keith Menconi/KCBS Radio
Another barrier that organizers are trying to push back against is unfounded fears about the safety of the vaccines.
“I was one of those naysayers,” said union member Brenda Okoli, who eventually did decide to get the vaccine. She said it went fine.
“And, I’m so grateful,” Okoli told the crowd. “So what I do now, I advocate for all of you to get the shot.”
Keith Menconi/KCBS Radio
