North Philadelphia Health Center will provide COVID-19 vaccines for registered Phase IB patients

On January 27, 2021, Philadelphia’s Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley along with the City Council’s President Darrell Clarke and Ambulatory Health Services Board Chair Kusema Warraka announced that the city’s Health Center 5 will be providing COVID-19 vaccines to registered patients who are either 75 years of age and older, or those who have one of the high risk medical conditions identified for inclusion in the Phase 1B distribution plan. This is incredible news, as now people, who are eligible for the vaccine, can go receive it by at a trustworthy source. This is location is not a substitute for Philly Fighting COVID, nor is it a place in which you’ll be able to receive a second dose of the vaccine (if you got your first at the Convention Center). In fact, it is unfortunate that in this medical crisis we are reminded that you must be wary of companies or people who are trying to carelessly profit from the community’s urgent need for COVID vaccines. Dr. Farley and President Clarke emphasized that Health Center 5 is a place that the community can trust going to for vaccines. This comes after the city’s need to cut ties with “Philly Fighting COVID.” It is important to note that, Health Center 5, was scheduled prior to the conflict with Philly Fighting COVID, and is not slated to be a replacement facility or to provide second dosages for individuals who were recipients of vaccines from Philly Fighting COVID. Dr. Farley assured that the relationship between the doctors at Health Center 5 and the community will help build the case that the medical center is a trustworthy source. In addition to medical centers, the city will bring on more sources where people can receive the vaccine, like “Rite Aide pharmacies and nursing homes,” Dr. Farley stated. Not only is Health Center 5 a trustworthy source to get the vaccine, but it’s also located in a neighborhood with people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Council President Darrell Clarke was asked whether or not this medical center giving vaccines will ramp up the trust between the community and the vaccine. He responded by stating, “People need to get to a comfort level with taking this vaccine. But I do emphasize the fact that problems surrounding healthcare issues have been here before, even before COVID-19. COVID-19 is very aggressive, as we all know. So I’m asking people to take their time and ask questions, but we must find a way to defeat this.” As time goes on, we’ll see more medical centers/facilities like these and it’s hopeful that people of color will be prioritized.