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As vaccine rollout continues to be slow, Charlotte Mayor receives her first COVID-19 vaccine

For Mayor Vi Lyles, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a sign of hope.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vaccine rollout continues to be slow and shaky as vaccine providers are adjusting week-by-week based on what they are given from the state.

This weekend in Mecklenburg County, Atrium Health plans to vaccinate 19,000 people at a mass clinic at Bank of America Stadium.

Officials said the location was chosen based on its proximity to underserved populations.

On Tuesday, Mayor Vi Lyles got her COVID-19 vaccine and sent a message to the community to get theirs too when they can. She said getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a sign of hope.

RELATED: Cohen: North Carolina has administered 95% of available COVID-19 vaccines

"COVID has taken such a part of our hearts away," Mayor Lyles said. "This vaccine is so important to getting that back."

Mayor Lyles rolled up her sleeve and got the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Novant Health's Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on the west side of town.

Mayor Lyles said she trusts the science behind it.

"We are taking it because we believe science will conquer it all," Mayor Lyles said. 

Black and brown communities have been disproportionately impacted by the virus and many are hesitant to take the vaccine and rightfully so based on history.

RELATED: For The Culture: America's dark past of medical mistreatment in Black communities leads to hesitancy with the COVID-19 vaccine

The mayor sent a message to the community, saying it's safe for them to get it too.

"We're not going to let history and defeatism rule our lives when we have the ability to move forward today," she said. 

State and county health officials are committed to equitably distributing vaccines.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department is working with churches to get into underserved communities. 

"We continue to plan and work with community partners to make sure we have the ability to get the vaccine into those areas when the vaccine is available to us," said Health Director Gibbie Harris. 

The county received a shipment of 800 Moderna vaccines last week, and that's what they used this past weekend to vaccinate about 800 people at community events.

RELATED: Bank of America COVID-19 vaccine appointments booked up



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