Wichita Black Nurses, in conjunction with the Sedgwick County Health Department have scheduled two community-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics for individuals 65 and older.

The clinics will be held:

Sun. March 7, 1-5 p.m. at St James Missionary Baptist Church, 1350 N. Ash, Wichita and

Sun., March 14, 1-5 p.m. at Tabernacle Bible Church, 1817 N. Volutsia.

Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, eligible individuals are asked to reach out directly to each of the churches. For St. James, call (316) 265-6301 and for Tabernacle, call (316) 681-3954.

The vaccine used for the drive is part of the allotment distributed to Sedgwick County. The nurses, and also some members of the Wichita Fire Department will administer the vaccination shots

The nurses decided to sponsor the community-based vaccination after seeing how few African Americans were taking the shots.

“We thought, maybe if they see us involved, we can reach some of our community’s African American residents who have been reluctant to take the shot,” said Sharon Gunter, with the Wichita Black Nurses.

Gunter says they recognize the there is an issue of trust about vaccinations in the Black community that must be overcome and they hope their presence will help suppress some of those concerns.

In addition, also offering the vaccinations in the community may make it easier in the way of both transportation and scheduling for some community residents who may find it difficult to get downtown to take the shots or who may have schedule conflicts with the weekday vaccination schedule.

The nurses hope to schedule additional vaccination clinic in the community and hopefully be able to address individuals younger than 65 as the vaccination plan opens up to younger adults.