NORFOLK, Neb. – Northeast Community College students and community members were given the opportunity this week to learn about the COVID-19 vaccines that are becoming more widely distributed. The event in the College’s Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) was also a chance for individuals to register to receive the vaccine.
The six-hour event was sponsored by Northeast, the College’s IDEA (Inclusivity-Diversity-Equity Alliance) sub-committee, the City of Norfolk and the Mayor’s Diversity Council, and the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD).
Tom Wiese, technology support specialist at Northeast and member of IDEA and the Mayor’s Diversity Council, said the event was a way to ensure students and the public are informed about the vaccines with information provided by ELVPHD.
“We want just want to see as many people in the area - the community, the College - registered and vaccinated. The sooner we can do that we can get back to the normal life we’re all looking for,” he said. “And with the age requirement changing for those eligible for the vaccines down to 16 and older last week, this is a great time to catch our college students before they head home for the summer.”
Volunteers were on-site to assist those who may have had barriers in accessing the online vaccine registration portal whether it be language, technology, or uncertainty. Vaccine informational packets were also distributed along with activities and snack bags. No vaccines were administered.
The groups held a similar event recently at the Norfolk Public Library that attracted a number of community members as well as an additional event at a local church.
“We just want to help offer assistance to people so they can get registered, especially if they don’t have access to technology or the internet in general.” Wiese said.
The event at Northeast was made possible, in part, by funding from the Norfolk Area Community Foundation and was held in conjunction with an American Red Cross Blood Drive held in the LLC at the time.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Sandro Sandoval, pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Norfolk and a member of the Norfolk Mayor’s Diversity Council, assists Northeast Community College student Brandy Happold, of Doniphan, during a COVID-19 vaccination registration and information event at the College this week. The event was sponsored by the City of Norfolk and the diversity council, Northeast, the College’s IDEA (Inclusivity-Diversity-Equity Alliance) sub-committee, and the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department.