WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Man, woman make agreement to help each other get COVID-19 vaccine shot
Mildred Coulter gets a little nervous when it comes to getting shots. But she put her own fears aside because she wanted to make sure her friend Jeff Cutter was able to receive his COVID vaccine.
The two Warren residents visited Wednesday’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Meijer pharmacy on Mound Road near 13 Mile Road to get their first shots of the Pfizer vaccine. The clinic was the result of a collaboration between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce and Meijer.
“I told Jeff if he would agree to get his vaccine, I would come and get mine too,” said Coulter. “He doesn’t like needles. I don’t either but I didn’t tell him that.”
Coulter stood behind Cutter while he received his vaccine from Meijer pharmacist Andrea Curtis, and when Coulter sat down to get her shot, she instinctively reached for Cutter’s hand while turning her head away from Curtis. She said that little bit of support meant a lot. Like many other situations related to the pandemic, Coulter said getting the vaccine is an opportunity for people to help each other.
“There is a lot of fear,” said Coulter. “If people know someone who has had the vaccine and they see nothing happened to them, that is what is going to make them take the steps toward getting it themselves.”
Coulter has helped most of her family as well as friends and neighbors register to get their vaccines.
For all of his initial apprehension, Cutter admitted getting the vaccine was “not bad at all” and feels a sense of relief to finally have the first of two COVID vaccines taken care of. He wants to be able to interact with family members safely knowing everyone has been vaccinated. The close proximity to his home near 14 Mile and Mound made the Meijer location especially attractive for him. Coulter also cited family as her primary motivation
in getting vaccinated.
“Family is very important because we have been shut down for a whole year and we miss each other,” said Coulter. “That is why I encouraged everyone in my family to get it because we are going to be together and we do not want anyone to be missed.”
Martin Manna, President of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, said he sees plenty of apprehension about getting the vaccine in his community. With COVID numbers on the rise in Macomb County, Manna has a sense of urgency about educating the Chaldean community about the importance of getting vaccinated.
“Generally, you will see this apprehension because the vaccine was developed so quickly that people are concerned,” said Manna. “What is needed is for trusted leaders to come out in support of the vaccine and provide accurate data to show the vaccine is safe.”
Christie Laster, Senior Community Liaison for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, said BCBS is strategic when picking its vaccination sites and noted this Meijer location is on a bus route, making it very accessible for residents.
“It is important for people to have access,” said Laster. “In Michigan, we have many people who are underserved and transportation has been an issue for many, so that is why it is important for us to meet their needs where they are.”
Meijer is now providing COVID vaccines at every store with more than 150,000 doses expected to be administered this week through 950 in-store clinics in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois. Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
To register for an appointment to receive the COVID vaccine at Meijer, simply text COVID to the number 75049 to receive a link to register or go online to clinic.meijer. com/