Middlesex Community College: MCC To Run One-Day Vax Clinic As Part Of White House Initiative

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

6/10/2021

Middlesex Community College wants to keep the community healthy and safe. Named a Vaccine Champion College by the White House, Middlesex is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Public Health and Walgreens to run a vaccination clinic on the college’s campus in Lowell from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 17.

Middlesex knows it has been a hard year for many, and the pandemic has made people sick and scared. As part of the Champion College initiative, MCC is helping the White House spread awareness of the value of getting a vaccine in the fight against COVID-19.

“MCC is proud to be one of the first community colleges in Massachusetts to join with the White House and take the Vaccine Champion College pledge,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Executive Director of Public Affairs. MCC is committed to the communities we serve and is thrilled to be able to bring this vaccination clinic to the Lowell campus, and to make it open to the public.

“Walgreens has been a great partner in this initiative and will be on site to administer the Pfizer vaccine. We know that getting more shots in arms is critical to saving lives and help our community come out on the other side of this pandemic stronger and healthier.”

People are still getting COVID-19 in Massachusetts. The more vaccines that are given, the faster the community can control infections. Doctors encourage people 12 years of age and older to get the shot. Those who register and get their shot on June 17 at MCC’s clinic will have an opportunity to win a free MCC course.

With a mission focused on equity and accessibility for all, Middlesex is proud to collaborate with the college’s partners to help do its part to increase the number of people vaccinated in the surrounding communities. By opening the college’s doors to the public, MCC is trying to make it as easy as possible for community members to protect themselves.

Middlesex has teamed up with Lowell TeleMedia Center (LTC) to film a series of PSAs about the vaccine featuring MCC students. The goal of the partnership is to provide the community with informed and scientific facts about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

“LTC is proud to partner with MCC to produce several PSAs in different languages, that encourages the community to safely get vaccinated at its clinic on June 17,” said Bora Chiemruom, LTC’s Executive Director.

MCC Nursing student Merilyn Mbombo hopes to encourage young people like herself to get the vaccine. From the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mbombo’s PSA was recorded in French. She felt proud to receive her shot and to tell others about the value in doing so.

“I want to be a change agent who not only watches, but takes action,” Mbombo said. “I think it is important for me to reach out to young people and help them understand how necessary it is to be vaccinated in order to keep our community and college safe. Maybe listening to a younger person like them could make a difference, I hope.”

Sophorn Soun is an MCC Nursing student from Cambodia who is working at Lowell General Hospital. In the PSA, he is using his first language in the hopes of reaching out to the community to encourage more participation in the White House vaccination initiative.

“I want the Cambodian community and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) to be aware of this critical and life-saving information,” Soun said. “COVID-19 has impacted the BIPOC community disproportionately compared to other communities.”

The White House Champion College initiative emphasizes that the vaccine is proven to be safe and effective. It is free for all people who live, work and study in Massachusetts. Community members do not need an ID or insurance to get it. Those who are unsure about getting the vaccine should talk to their doctor about any questions they may have.

Science proves that getting a vaccine is the best way for individuals to protect themselves, their friends and families from the virus. Results show that these vaccines are safe, stop the spread and lower death rates. Not only will getting the vaccine help make communities safer, it will also lead to a faster return to a more normal life – without having to worry about getting sick or passing the virus on to someone else.

MCC’s clinic will offer the Pfizer vaccine. The clinic is open and free to the public. All community members ages 12 and up are welcome to register to receive their shots. As the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, MCC has scheduled the second shot for July 8 – 21 days later.

Upon arriving to the Cowan Center Cafeteria for their appointment, community members are asked to wear a mask that covers their noses and mouths at all times while inside the building. They should also expect to wait up to 15 minutes after receiving their vaccination.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/vax to register for a shot at MCC’s COVID-19 one-day vaccination clinic.

Featuring flexible course formats and a variety of student support services and resources, MCC is registering now for the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.