On Friday, June 10, the United Against COVID-19 (UAC) Coalition held a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic and food distribution at the David Head Community Center in Lamont. A total of 94 people got vaccinated, with 18 of those individuals going for their first dose according to Elizabeth Palencia, COVID-19 Outreach Manager for the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF).
It’s been over two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the last year a total of 486,223 Kern County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 according to this Kern County COVID-19 tracker. Additionally, a total of 539,879 Kern County residents have one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Some Kern County residents, though, have yet to receive the first dose for various reasons. For example, some people are scared of needles, some don’t have time, some don’t believe the vaccine will protect them from COVID, and finally, some are not mentally and physically prepared to get the shot.
“I had to get it sooner or later and today was a good time because I am not working today and it is perfect timing right now to come and get my shot,” Juan Moreno (54) said.
Moreno clarified that he decided to come to get his shot today because he had it planned already but never had the time to go get it. He also stated that the reason he took a long time to get the first dose of the vaccine is that he has a phobia of needles.
He was the only one that was left in his family to get vaccinated.
“I think it’s going to help me physically and mentally to know that I got the shot,” Moreno said. Moreno explains that he has to get it and do his part and that he doesn’t want to spread it to somebody else and die from it. Moreno revealed that his Comadre (50) got COVID-19 and almost died from it.
“There are a lot of people sick out there and I didn’t want to get sick either,” said Kayla Flores (11). Flores revealed that she got COVID-19 and that was one of the reasons why she decided to get the first dose of the vaccine. Flores explains that her first time getting COVID was awful because she would throw up all the time along with stomach aches.
“I think the COVID vaccine is going to be helpful for me because I see a lot of people get it — all my family has got it,” Flores said. Flores wasn’t the only one getting her vaccine that day, her mom was also getting her booster shot. Flores said that she was the only one missing from her family members to get the shot and stated she is happy to get it and is not scared at all.
For those interested, another free vaccine clinic will be taking place on Saturday, June 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Amigos Market located at 8101 Buena Vista Blvd in Weedpatch. All doses will be available at the clinic and no appointment is needed.
