Lady Caesno felt nervous waiting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, especially after her older sister received a shot and felt slightly ill.
A few minutes after receiving the first of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine, the 13-year-old rising seventh grader smiled.
“I feel fine. I didn’t feel [the needle],” said Lady, who moved to Hyattsville from Dallas in March. “My mom said we have to get the vaccine and be protected.”
Lady and her mother, Irma Caesno, joined at least 50 people who registered to receive a vaccine Friday, June 18 at an outside clinic set up at Langley Terrace Apartments in Hyattsville.
Prince George’s County health and elected officials continue to seek residents in hard-to-reach communities such as the Hyattsville area, which has thousands of Spanish-speaking residents in the northern part of the county.
According to county COVID-19 data, that area has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases based on zip code not only in the county, but the entire state of Maryland.
County Council Vice Chair Deni Taveras (D-District 2) of Adelphi organized the clinic in partnership with Safeway.
“We’re bringing the vaccines to the people and meeting them where they’re at,” Taveras said Friday at Langley Terrace. “The vast majority of the population here is unable to drive and have very limited needs. We are here for you.”
To get anyone who missed Friday and a clinic set up Saturday, June 19 at La Union Mall in Langley Park, another one will take place Saturday, June 26 from 4-8 p.m. at La Union Mall.
A second dose will be provided at the same locations exactly three weeks later.
As of Friday, more than 440,000 residents ages 12 and older received at least one dose of either Pfizer or two-shot Moderna vaccine or the single dose administered by Johnson & Johnson.
The state wants to provide incentives for residents fully vaccinated.
Through the state’s GoVAX program, businesses are offering patrons discounts with proof of vaccination.
Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor offering free jello shooters through Aug. 28.
Total Recon Auto Center in neighboring Rockville in Montgomery County will offer 10% discounts on auto detailing through July 31.
If people want to travel on the Eastern Shore in Worcester County, Ayers Creek Adventures will provide patrons a 10 percent discount to rent kayaks or paddle boats through July 31.
Back in Prince George’s, a four-clinic vaccination clinic opened in another hard-to-reach community at Southview Apartments in Oxon Hill.
After his mother experienced negative effects and became sick from her COVID-19 shot, Michael Smith didn’t want it administered to him.
But the Southview resident decided to suck up his fear of needles and receive the first of two required Pfizer vaccines.
“I just got back from Alabama [visiting] my son. If I’m going to keep [traveling] during the summer, I better get protected,” Smith said a few minutes after receiving a shot in his right arm. “Bringing it to me actually made me want to do it.”