A free pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic is being held on Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Appleton Pentecostal Assembly (map), located at 1100 London Street, Menasha. The goal of the clinic is to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations to the Menasha community, especially among African Americans.
“The primary reason (for the pop-up clinic is) so that we can get support from the Menasha community and the African-American community and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Appleton Pentecostal Assembly Senior Pastor Walter Ragland. “We are located at 1100 London Circle where we know there’s a lot of apartments in the area, and we don’t want any hindrance to individuals trying to get vaccinated, so we can definitely decrease the spread of COVID-19.”
While more than 49 percent of the general population of Outagamie County has received at least one dose of the vaccine, but only 22 percent of Black residents have. Ragland said that may have something to do with mistrust of the healthcare system among Black communities.
“We can definitely look at the history of African-Americans and their relationship with doctors,” Ragland said. “We know that there’s a huge disparity as it relates to African Americans. We know because of that many African-Americans’ health has been impacted. I really believe that many things that we experienced now have stemmed back through generations. Hopefully by us hosting and trying to show the people that it is safe, that they’re willing to come out.”
Individuals will have the option to choose either the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Pfizer is available for those 12 and older and requires a second dose. The second dose clinic will also be held at Appleton Pentecostal Assembly on July 17. Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccination for those 18 and older.
- No preregistration or appointment is needed
- All are welcome to walk-in
- Identification and health insurance are not required to register or to receive the vaccine
- The first 50 who are vaccinated will receive a $10 gift certificate to Kwik Trip
- For those interested in finding out more information, please call Lynnsey Erickson at (920) 252-5928, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- For those who need assistance in Spanish, please call Molly Smiltneek at (920) 420-6831, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“This is an opportunity to provide a safe, barrier-free and accessible vaccination clinic for our brothers and sisters who want to be vaccinated,” Ragland said in a statement. “We welcome all who wish to be vaccinated to do so at our church.”
The clinic will be hosted by Appleton Pentecostal Assembly, People of Progression — which hosted a vaccine clinic at Taperz Barber Shop earlier this year — Winnebago County Health Department, Partnership Community Health Center and the Multicultural Communications Committee with supporting community sponsors Ascension, Red Shoes Inc. and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.
