LOUISVILLE, Ky. — UofL Health and Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center are joining forces to make sure everyone has equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
There was no sermon at the Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center on Friday — instead, they offered a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
“I think it’s very important to have vaccinations of this magnitude to impact this pandemic in the area where the pandemic has been spread a lot of times,” explained Charles Carter, who received his vaccine for the first time.
Carter and Rev. George Mayes Jr. met each other 35 years ago.
"He and I we’ve been very close so it was very important as two good friends to, he would’ve done the same thing for me,” Carter said.
For seniors, a big challenge is transportation. This pop-up site is literally bringing the vaccine right to them.
Since George's eyesight has declined over the years, Charles decided to drive 14 miles to George’s home to pick up his friend. For years, they have been inseparable, and now, they can add getting a shot of hope to a lifetime of memories.
“It’'s not really a duty. He would’ve done the same thing for me, probably even more,” Carter said.
He hopes his decision to receive the vaccination inspires others to due their part to end the pandemic.
“Especially in the African American vicinity that it’s very important to set example. To me it’s very comforting to at least know that I’ve taken every precaution possible including the vaccination,” Carter said.
Rev. Timothy Findley has made it his mission to close gaps and overcome vaccine mistrust in the African American community.
“When we see the disparities in the numbers the fact that we’re getting positive cases in the number of cases in the black community at a higher rate and vaccinated slower. For me this was very important as a church that we put ourselves in position on the frontline to vaccinate people,” Rev. Findley said.
Doctor Jason Smith, Chief Medical Officer with U of L Health, said this time is different, and the black community taking the vaccine is crucial in ending this pandemic.
“For us it was a simple this is where people are hurting, this is where we want to go,” Dr. Smith said.
That’s why the hospital system and the church partnered together to focus on underserved communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
“When we are talking about getting in the community, we’re talking about taking the vaccine to different churches, different areas of the community that are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis,” explained Dr. Smith.
“It’s been a great partnership. The response time has been great and we’ve just heard over and over from so many people that it was just about access,” Rev. Findley said.
The goal is to make the vaccination process more accessible to everyone.
“I think where our church is located has really helped people. They’re not having to go far out, it’s here at the church, we’re on Broadway, in the heart of downtown Louisville,” Rev. Findley said.
Carter and Mays are leading by example, hoping their decision to get the vaccine can save lives and help bring about an end to the pandemic.
“Maybe this will be apart of the start of getting things back to normal too,” Carter said. “God is good, replies George.
The two are scheduled to get their next dose of the vaccine in a couple of weeks.