Pastors and Latino clergy members received
their first dose today of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Essex County College, as
they preached the benefit of vaccination to the county’s Black and Latino population.
The pastors and Latino clergy members received
their first dose in front of an audience to set an example for
their community. A strong message was also relayed this morning that the
pandemic is far from over.
“Everybody is starting to move on with their
life,” said County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. “Yes, there’s light at the end of
the tunnel, but this is far from over, especially here in Essex County. The
vaccine is safe; the vaccine will protect you. I will not help you from not
getting COVID, but what I will do is help you see your family. We are
encouraging our people, our community to get vaccinated."
The county has been administering vaccines since
December and has held outreach events such as the one today,
educating the community and encouraging some of the most vulnerable to get
vaccinated.
As of Monday, almost 100,000 people in Essex County were fully
vaccinated. More than 135,000 are halfway there.