A surge in infections from the Omicron variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 is expected in December and January as families travel and gather during the holiday season.

The Wichita Black Nurses Association is being proactive with vaccine clinics on three Saturdays in December, WBNA team leader and vaccine site manager Maggie Thompson said.

“We, as Black and Brown people, are still the slowest and lowest for getting vaccinations,” Thompson said. “As nurses, we want to get ahead of this surge and prevent folks from ending up in the hospital or dying.”

  • The first clinic will be Dec. 3 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at IASIS (The Center) at 1914 E. 11th Street.
  • The second will be Dec. 10 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Greater St. Mary Baptist Church at 1648 E. 17th St. 
  • The final clinic will be noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Evergreen Park gym at 2700 N. Woodland. 

The booster being offered is the newest vaccine that protects against both the original COVID-19 and the newer, more contagious strains.

If it has been at least two months since your last vaccine booster, it’s important to get this booster to be fully protected.

Bring your vaccination card so the nurses at the clinic can update your vaccine record. There is no charge for the vaccine.

P.J. Griekspoor is a semi-retired veteran journalist with 55 years experience in writing and editing in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina and Wichita.  She spent 18 years at the Wichita Eagle...