By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor
mgreen@afro.com
The District is making it even more accessible, simple and safer to protect families and residents from the COVID-19 pandemic. Families with people ages 5 and older are now able to be vaccinated by scheduling an appointment from the comfort of their own homes, in their socially distanced, safety of their residences.
“Vaccinated… in your own home,” the D.C. Council tweeted with a photo of a medical bag with the words, “Vaccine House Calls,” covering the photograph.
The lack of accessibility to private and reliable transportation, challenges with caregivers and the inability to stand in long lines are some of the causes for the disparities in vaccinations in the Black community and District. While the District is said to still tightly clenching to being predominantly African American- accounting for 46% of the population, with 37.5% White only, not Hispanic or Latino residents, according to the Census Bureau– vaccination data overwhelmingly shows a disparity between races. According to coronavirus.dc.gov, only 152, 545 have been partially or fully vaccinated, in comparison to 166, 716 White District residents.
The new in-home vaccination program avoids challenges with transportation, child and ill adult care, waiting in long lines- often in the cold- and exposure to the elements and germs.
“This is great for shut-ins and while the Healthcare worker is there, why not do everyone that is there,” Twitter user Eric Vey replied to the D.C. Council’s tweet.
Other residents and social media appreciators alike also showed support for the new in-home vaccination program.
“It has never been easier to GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED,” someone wrote, emphasizing the excitement using all capital letters.
“Another access point to make it easier for everyone to #TakeTheShotDC. Call and make your appointment today,” Faith Gibson Hubbard, who is a 2022 Democratic Candidate for the Ward 5 D.C. Council seat said.
“Wow, well done,” “Very cool,” “This is fantastic,” and “Brilliant,” were some of the tweets in relation to the District’s news of making vaccinations even more accessible to its residents.
Others wrote: “Love this for D.C.,” and “Great opportunity for those in D.C. who need it.”
One social media user suggested that such an effort should have come around a lot sooner.
“If only we’d been doing this in poor communities from the get go! Better late than never,” someone tweeted.
As with all news, there were some who doubted the purpose of the effort.
“Why the heck are they pushing these vaccines so hard,” one person questioned on Twitter.
Another social media user reacted to the in-home vaccine announcement saying, “Peak desperation.”
Some users doubted the efficacy of the entire vaccine. “You can get vaccinated, but it won’t stop you from getting infected,” someone wrote in reply to the in-home vaccination announcement.
Vaccine supporters, excited about the news of in-home vaccinations, took to social media to quiet the naysayers, such as Bill Lockhart, who shut down the person who said the vaccine would not stop someone from being infected. “Yes… but you don’t die,” Lockhart said in response.
There were also social media users who reflected on the overall benefits on in-home vaccinations on healthcare workers.
“Any way that we can relieve the pressure on pharmacists regarding administering vaccines is a good thing. They are already super busy and very bad things happen when they can’t give their primary function, proper attention,” Twitter user Sam Merrill wrote.
For more information or to set up a vaccine house call, dial: (855) 363-0333.
“Really, folks, make this happen, do this now,” the District of Columbia Council emphasized.
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