SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative Assists Madison County Health Department in Alton COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Madison County Health Department administered COVID-19 Pfizer vaccinations to more than 400 Alton residents on Monday, March 8.
The clinic was executed by a team of civic leaders and workers, with assistance from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Successful Community Collaborative (SSCC). SSCC students aided in accepting calls and adding local seniors to the vaccination list.
“Today was another great for day for Alton senior residents who received their first vaccine shot,” said David Goins, pastor of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Alton. “We now have approximately 800 Alton seniors vaccinated, including those in the apartment buildings of Skyline Towers and Marian Heights, and disabled living facilities. We will continue to encourage seniors, 65 years and older, to get vaccinated as a way of reducing the chances of contracting COVID-19.”
An additional 400 Alton residents signed up for their first vaccine shots, scheduled for Monday, March 15, and will be called on Thursday-Friday, March 11-12 to assign appointment times, according to Michael Holliday, Madison County board member and Alton civic leader.
“The success of this vaccine campaign could not have been possible without our local clergy encouraging their church membership to get vaccinated and Dr. Connie Spurlock, director of the SIUE Successful Community Collaborative,” added Holliday. “Also providing greatly needed assistance were Executive Director of Alton Housing Authority and Pastor of Bread of Life Church Greg Denton, Alton Housing Authority Manager Lisa Brown and her team, President of the Riverbend Ministerial Alliance Jason Harrison, and LaMay’s Catering for opening its doors to being a vaccination site.”
The second round of Pfizer vaccinations will be administered on Mondays, March 22, 29 and April 5 at LaMay’s Catering, 909 E. Broadway in Alton. An appointment is required to receive the vaccine.
Seniors, 65 years and older, who want to get on the vaccination list may call 618-491-9340, 618-491-9920 or 618-491-0021 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday of each week through March 17. When calling, provide your name, age, date of birth, phone number, address and email. A representative will follow-up to schedule an appointment to receive the first vaccine dose. The second Pfizer vaccine appointment will be provided once individuals receive their first dosage.
Other Alton clergy organizers included Pastor Jason Harrison, Deliverance Temple; Pastor Michael Porter, Millennium Temple; Pastor Peter Hough, Alton Mission; Pastor Dave Burger, Community Christian Church; Pastor Mike Adams, Life House; and Associate Minister George Dickerson, Harvest Christian Fellowship.
SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) is a cross-disciplinary program that supports one-year partnerships between the University and communities in Illinois to advance local resilience and sustainability based on community-identified environmental, social and economic issues and needs. Our mission is to connect Illinois communities with the dynamic resources of SIUE students and faculty.
