Joy McCallister, center, received her second shot of the Moderna vaccine. It marked 10,000 doses since the site opened on Feb. 25.
The Florida A&M University Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium COVID-19 vaccination site administered its 10,000th dose Wednesday morning.
The recipient was Tallahassee resident Joy McCallister who received her second Moderna vaccine.
“I want to do my part to get back to normal,” said McCallister, a mother of two who works for the Leon County Clerk’s Office. “I also want to protect my family.”
The Lawson site offers the Moderna two-dose vaccine as well as the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine. Operated by the state of Florida and run by a private company, the 1800 Wahnish Way vaccination location is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It was opened on February 25 specifically to reach people of color and other underserved communities. Those groups have less access to free vaccines and appear to be more affected by vaccine hesitancy. As the eligibility for the vaccine has been widened to include all adults, a large swath of the population remains skeptical of the vaccine and refuses to get the free shots.
Tanya Tatum, FAMU director of Student Health Services, continues to urge students and other young people to get their vaccination in order to end the pandemic.
“We want people to come and get vaccinated,” Tatum said. “Vaccinations are free, safe and very convenient. The fight against this pandemic is far from over.”
In anticipation of the full resumption of in-person classes for fall 2021, the Florida Board of Governors and FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., have issued statements offering guidance about the rules that are expected to be in place when students return in August. Beginning summer semester, FAMU recommends that face coverings be used indoors.
“As part of the State University System of Florida, FAMU joins all 12 public universities in anticipation of a return to pre-COVID-19 classroom capacity and operations for the upcoming academic year,” Robinson said. “FAMU looks forward to welcoming everyone back to our campuses for a successful 2021-2022 academic year. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated at our COVID-19 vaccination site located at our Al Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, or wherever available, as part of our effort to protect and minimize the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in our communities.”