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Forsyth County Health Organizations Aim To Increase Minority Vaccinations

A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine. GERRY BROOME/AP

A trio of health organizations is joining forces to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among minorities in Forsyth County. 

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Novant Health, and Wake Forest Baptist Health are partnering to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations in historically marginalized communities.

In a press release, the organizations say they have taken steps to share personnel and supplies, and are partnering with other governmental organizations such as Federally Qualified Health Centers. 

Vaccination appointments are being expanded to include evenings and weekends, with free transportation provided by the Winston-Salem Transit Authority.

Targeted outreach is being implemented through social media and advertising, as well as through relationships with local community partners and business leaders.

According to the release, Forsyth County is making progress toward the goal of having over 40% of vaccinated residents be members of historically marginalized populations, a number that reflects the county's demographics.

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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