NEWS FOR RELEASE:
Alliance Promotes ‘Community Immunity’
(MELBOURNE, FL) September 6, 2021 – The PushBack Community Alliance is determined to protect the people of South Brevard from Covid-19. On Saturday, September 18 from 10 AM until 2 PM, the group will present Community Immunity, a faith-based outdoor vaccination event on the grounds of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 2295 Dr. Harvey Riley St., NE, in Palm Bay. Praise bands from New Shiloh Christian Center, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and affiliated area churches will provide entertainment, along with musician James Culliver and others. The Source will have their Dignity Food Truck on hand to serve a free lunch of hot dogs and french fries to those getting vaccinated. The Moderna and J&J vaccine will be administered by members of the Brevard County Health Department. Also in attendance will be representatives from the City of Palm Bay and Palm Bay Fire-Rescue. Volunteers for Community Immunity are knocking on doors in vulnerable and underserved South Brevard neighborhoods to counter misinformation and encourage attendance at the free vaccine event. Included among those going door to door are members of the Brevard chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a group of college-educated professional women who strive to effect positive change through community service. The QR code on the their event flyer links to a page on the Johns Hopkins website, detailing Covid-19 myths versus facts. For more information about Community Immunity or to volunteer, contact Lashaunda Bray at 321-956-1404.
Vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation has met its match with religious leaders. According to ReligionNews.com, “a new survey finds vaccine hesitancy has fallen among Americans overall and among all religious subgroups in just three months, with many who once balked saying they embraced inoculation against COVID-19 at the urging of faith leaders.” Researchers highlighted the importance of faith-based overtures when it came to getting religious people vaccinated, particularly within communities of color.
Rev. Quintin P. Woods is the senior pastor for Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Palm Bay, the site of the September 18 Community Immunity vaccination event.
“Our goal is to get people vaccinated, particularly Black and Brown people between the ages of 18 and 35,” said Reverend Woods. “More volunteers or praise groups for the event are welcome. We need everyone to work together for the health and safety of our community and for the greater good.”
For more information about Community Immunity or to volunteer, contact Lashaunda Bray at 321-956-1404.
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