Union News

Wingate University recently issued the following announcement.

More than nine months after the first Covid shots were given in the United States, about 90 million Americans eligible for the vaccine still haven’t gotten it. But studies show that a faith-based approach may help overcome hesitancy. 

That’s the hope of Christy Cobb, a Wingate University assistant religion professor who has been working with Bridge Builders Charlotte and Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC)’s Faith in the Vaccine initiative for the past several months to plan shot clinics around the Charlotte area. The latest one will be held on Saturday at Irwin Belk Stadium, prior to and during Wingate’s Homecoming football game.

IFYC teams from CPCC, Davidson, Johnson C. Smith, Queens and Wingate included more than 40 students who were trained as messengers, educators and community organizers. They used a variety of techniques, including personal conversations, public presentations, social media campaigns and canvassing, all tailored to build trust and share accurate vaccine information. And they have been successful: An Aug. 22 clinic headed by Wingate University football player Jacob Flowers, a junior from New Bern, N.C., resulted in more than 60 initial Covid vaccinations being given in just two hours.

The Faith in the Vaccine push, made possible by a donation from the Duke Endowment, was initially scheduled for the summer, but the work is continuing this fall. In fact, Cobb got approved for an additional grant to plan and host two clinics on the Wingate campus.

The first will be held on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium, where Wingate’s football team will kick off against Tusculum at 6 p.m. Student volunteers will assist with logistics as Star Med personnel give the shots. Thanks to a donation from an outside organization, $25 Amazon gift cards will be handed out to the first 50 Wingate students who get their initial Covid shots at the clinic.

Another clinic is scheduled for Oct. 30, also from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium during a Wingate home football game.

Both clinics are free and open to the public. Irwin Belk Stadium is located at the intersection of North Main Street and McIntyre Road in Wingate, just off the Monroe Expressway’s Austin Chaney Road exit (No. 270).

Learn more about Jacob Flowers’ work to improve vaccine access. Learn more about studying religion at Wingate. Learn more about Homecoming.

Original source can be found here.