State and local officials in Baton Rouge marked the opening of a community vaccination clinic in North Baton Rouge on Friday.
According to LDH, the clinic will serve as a model of community collaboration to ensure vaccines reach underserved areas of the city.
The North Baton Rouge Vaccine Clinic is located at the Living Faith Christian Center and began offering vaccines to community members on Friday at 10 a.m. Vaccinations will continue through 7 p.m., with the same hours on Saturday.
Healthcare workers are expected to administer 2,200 vaccines to residents of the area, which LDH says has historically been underserved by healthcare resources and does not have provider coverage comparable to other areas of the city.
The clinic has been part of an intensive planning process led by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), public officials and community and faith-based leaders. The result, LDH says, is a model of community collaboration that they hope providers, local officials and community leaders will continue in communities across Louisiana to ensure access to vaccines is equitable, and to make sure anyone who is eligible for a vaccine can get one.
In addition to LDH, community partners involved in the clinic include the Office of the Baton Rouge Mayor-President, the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging, Living Faith Christian Center, the Governor's Health Equity Task Force, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, the Louisiana National Guard, Albertsons and Ochsner Baton Rouge.
"Vaccines are our best hope in putting this pandemic behind us. However, without focused attention, many of our communities are at risk of being left out of the vaccine rollout," said Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillips. "There is no one more in touch with the people than the partners who helped us on this clinic. Together, we are breaking down barriers so we can meet people where they are."
Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor-President Broome and LDH Secretary Phillips will deliver brief remarks at 3 p.m.
After the remarks, LDH says Secretary Phillips will receive her first COVID vaccine alongside three newly eligible educators.
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