TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — After closing its doors to in-person services in March, Bethel AME Church saw the most people they've seen in almost a year with seniors lining the lobby waiting for the Pfizer vaccine.
The church is the newest of seven sites in the state after the Governor announced the new effort to bring more vaccines to seniors.
According to the state vaccination report by the health department, Florida has seen over 558,000 vaccinations take place, with 10,604 of those happening in Leon County.
Darryl Jones who is on the board at Bethel AME, says that he's proud of the work the church has been able to accomplish through the 'vaccine ministry'.
"The department of health partnering with the African American church, and Bethel AME most specifically, provides a certain level of authenticity to its efforts," said Jones. "We know that the church is a trusted resource in our community, it's an honest broker, so who better than the African American church to be a place where people can come and be well served."
Serving people like Harriett Paul who got the COVID-19 vaccine after her children in health care were able to receive the vaccine in Georgia days ago.
Paul said that being at high risk for the virus, it was important for her to receive the vaccine.
"I can understand that there is concern, but for me, it really was not a choice, because we know what COVID-19 can do, and is doing, so I'm a high-risk individual, and I'm looking for the opportunity to do something that can protect me."
Bethel AME is waiting to hear from the health department on if they will be a site for future vaccinations. There are plans for those second doses to be given at the church.
