Dignitaries on hand to launch mass vaccine site

Goal is to inoculate 2,000 people a day at Gary Roosevelt

Federal, local and state officials touted the collaboration it has taken to bring the first FEMA-run mass vaccination site to Northwest Indiana at Gary Roosevelt High School.

Gov. Eric Holcomb, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, Gary Deputy Mayor Trent McCain, State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, and State Rep. Earl Harris Jr.,

D-East Chicago, Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box and Gary Health Department Executive Director Veronica Collins were joined by the Indiana National Guard, FEMA, members of Gary’s City Council and other local officials to celebrate the opening Tuesday of the clinic and what it means to the community.

“Our top priority is to increase vaccine access in the community,” Kevin Sligh, acting FEMA Region 5 regional administrator, said.

The fully federally funded site has the ability to vaccinate 2,000 people a day and another 1,000 a day through mobile clinics that will go out into communities including Gary, East Chicago and Hammond to bring the vaccinations to the people where they live including public housing and homeless shelters, Box said.

People can drive or walk up to be vaccinated. Those interested in getting vaccinated can schedule a time at ourshot.in.gov or call 211 to schedule an appointment. Box said there also would be availability for people who do not have an appointment to get their shot.

“If you don’t have an appointment and we have a dose available, we will give you that shot,” Box said.

While the site is targeting the hard-hit north Lake County communities, the clinic is open to anyone, including Illinois residents.

Sligh shared how COVID-19 has impacted his own family and why he chose to get vaccinated. A large majority of his immediate and extended family contracted COVID-19. Fortunately, Sligh said, all survived.

“As an African American man with three comorbidities, I felt I had to get the vaccine,” Sligh said, adding he is trying to be a Pied Piper for those in the hardest hit communities to get more people vaccinated.

Holcomb said he too has been vaccinated and called on people to put the greater good front and center and continue to wear masks and social distance as more Hoosiers are vaccinated.

“We are getting to folks who have the hardest time accessing the system,” Holcomb said. “We are trying to bust down every barrier that exists.”

Holcomb said they have been pulling in partners near and far to breakdown the barriers to getting a shot. If someone needs a ride to the clinic, that can be arranged. If someone needs a wheelchair at the clinic one will be made available. Interpreters also will be available to help with language barriers.

“We are trying to take away any disincentive,” Holcomb said.

Willie Robinson 72, of Gary was among the first to get vaccinated Tuesday. He is the type of individual officials would like the mass vaccination clinic to reach. Robin

son said he lives across the street from the high school and came to check out what the commotion Tuesday was about. He had thought about getting vaccinated, but did not have an appointment.

“I didn’t know where to go,” he said.

Robinson said it was great it was so close to his home, which will make coming back for the second dose easier.

McCain, like other officials who spoke confirmed he had been vaccinated.

“Since COVID-19 first came to Gary in March of last year, Mayor Prince and Dr. (Roland) Walker (Gary health commissioner) and the entire team has been fighting every day to protect the community from the spread of this pandemic,” McCain said.

“Gary is absolutely the right place to hold this massive 8-week vaccination event,” McCain said, adding Roosevelt High School, with its close ties to Gary history, tradition and culture, is the right location.

Mrvan called Tuesday a day of celebration.

“It is also a call to action … Vaccine acceptance is something that will change our lives and put us on a path to recovery,” Mrvan said.