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Forsyth County holds first public COVID-19 vaccination event
vaccination event
A volunteer from Northside Hospital Forsyth prepares the very first dose of the day of the COVID-19 vaccination.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Forsyth County hosted its first public vaccination event at First Redeemer Church.

Chris Grimes, director of the Emergency Management Agency in Forsyth County, has been working with the District 2 Public Health to find ways that local residents could help distribute the vaccine to those currently eligible.

vaccination event
District 2 Commissioner Alfred John (left) oversees the vaccination distribution at First Redeemer Church on Tuesday, Jan. 19. District 4 Public Service Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Jr. (right) obtained his first round of vaccine on Tuesday as well.

Forsyth County government posted a link last week for seniors to be able to sign up for the public vaccination events. Among those that were able to secure an appointment were Ferrell White and his wife, Lois.

The White’s had appointments on the first day, Tuesday, Jan. 19, at First Redeemer Church. Other appointments will be held at Browns Bridge Church continuing over the next few weeks.

Ferrell White detailed his experience, saying it “hardly could have been easier or more pleasant.”

“It was a very reassuring process throughout,” Ferrell White said.

He explained that as soon he saw the link for appointments online, he signed up.

“Though access to the sign-up link took a bit of tenacity, once in, the process was simple,” White said. “We picked a date, completed the needed information and promptly received a confirming email with the date, time and site.”

At First Redeemer Church, White said his experience was good.

“At the appointed time we showed up about 30 minutes ahead of time with plenty of parking, police and emergency equipment clearly visible, and plenty of smiling people to guide us through to the sign-up desk,” White said. “There the follow-up appointment for the second shot was specified. [The volunteers] did it, not us.”

White stated that he and his wife took notice of the large number of volunteers at the event, all from Northside Hospital Forsyth, the Forsyth County fire department and sheriff’s office.

vaccination event
Lois White sits for her first round of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second appointments for those vaccinated on Jan. 19 were made by volunteers at the public event. Photo courtesy of Ferrell White.

“The vaccine was [then] administered, and we were directed to a safely distanced table to wait 15 minutes to be certain that there would be no reaction,” White said. “All was well, so we went on our way.”

Grimes and the Board of Commissioners will continue to work with public health officials to offer more vaccination appointments to those eligible.

“We know that residents are wanting to sign up, and once we confirm that there is vaccine supply available, we are looking to hold additional vaccination events,” Grimes said.

For more information about vaccination appointments, please visit the Forsyth County website at www.forsythco.com. Links to sign up for government news subscriptions, including updates about the COVID-19 vaccine, can be found directly on the homepage.