Here in Acadiana, healthcare workers and some who work in the community received Covid 19 vaccines today at Our Lady of Lourdes.
"The virus is not going to go away. If we don't do something people are going to continue to die," says Bently Senegal, Community Services Director at Lourdes. He also helps run clinics on Lafayette's North side. He felt getting the vaccine was the most effective way he could personally stop the spread.
"If we're going to get some normalcy back in our lives, we have to take this vaccine. Its just not going to go away," says Senegal.
Though the vaccine isn't available to the general public yet, Senegal jumped on board in hopes of setting an example, especially for the black community.
"It has disproportionately affected our community. There's some data to support why the distrust is there, and that's another reason why I want to take it," says Senegal.
After the first round of the vaccine, he said it was painless.
"I feel good about what i've just done and I didn't feel a thing, it doesn't hurt at all."
T hose receiving the shot now will come back in 21 days for a second round and they'll continue to wear masks around people and in public until further notice.
