Steelers Greats Franco Harris, Mel Blount Encourage Black Community To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Community leaders and Steelers legends are making their pitch for the Black community to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Black Political Empowerment Project President Tim Stevens is pushing for more people to roll up their sleeves like Steelers legends Franco Harris and Mel Blount.
"We want to protect our families, our friends and the community at large," Stevens said Wednesday morning.
"The most important part of this game plan is to get vaccinated," Steelers Legend Franco Harris said.
They spread their message outside the Central Baptist Church on Wylie Avenue in the city's Hill District.
Central Baptist is hosting vaccinations from Monday through Saturday, and organizers say vaccines will be available there for months to come.
Reverend Victor Grigsby said more people need to take advantage of the clinic in his church. He said the clinic is currently not reaching its full potential.
"We're trying to get to 250, and we have been close to about 200 shots in one day, but we are trying to increase the numbers," Rev. Grigsby said.
He said it's average about 100 people a day, far less than its full capacity.
"Let's not live in our fears. Let's live in our possibilities," Stevens said.
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President Esther Bush has a friend who said she lost two family members to COVID-19 after refusing to get a vaccine.
"It is so critically important we do everything we can do to save a life," Bush said.
She knows her community has been victimized in the past by the medical field, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has made people skeptical. She still has faith that her shots will protect her.
"I'm not saying science is perfect. We know that it is not. But it is working," Bush said.
Their goal is to make sure you can enjoy more time with your family.
"The most important part though is that you can be around them for years to come," Harris said.
The site runs Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, it's from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It helps to have an appointment but we have seen a few walk-ins taken.
