“There was no one waiting in line for him not to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Ala Stanford, the Philadelphia pediatric surgeon who led the event at the Liacouras Center on Temple University campus from noon Friday through at noon on Saturday.
Stanford said more than 3,000 vaccines had been administered on Saturday morning and that it was pleased with how things were going “for the most part”.
“A lot of things we can modify to improve it next time,” Stanford said.
According to Standford, the Vaxathon was vaccinating more than 200 people per hour.
“The hardest part is that when we started there were 1,000 people in line. It looked like there were 1,000 people in line all day, no matter how fast we moved,” Stanford said.
Stanford focuses on vaccinating the black community, which it says accounts for more than half of COVID-19-related deaths.
“It doesn’t mean they don’t have fear or dread. It doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten the atrocities of drugs, but they focus on the here and now. The here and now is one in two African Americans. “. he knows someone who died or was very ill with coronavirus. That’s hope, ”Stanford said.
Clinic officials were surprised that the long lines were kept up late at night. At 4 a.m. Saturday, the line extended toward 15th Street.
“I really thought that for the last few hours maybe 1 in the morning, at least 4 in the morning, that people weren’t going to be here, but yeah, so we had to deal with those cold temperatures and how keep them warm “. Stanford said.
Some people in the queue said they waited more than nine hours to get the shot, but that they were willing to wait.
“When people are dedicated and determined, they’ll get that shot, then we’ll conquer COVID,” said Mindy Washington of Germantown.
Staff members of the Philadelphia Eagles, along with the pet Swoop, surprised the hundreds waiting in line early Saturday morning with Dunkin coffee and hot chocolate.
Stanford said the Black Doctors COVID-19 consortium brought those waiting in the sand, separated and socially distanced. They had a separate space for seniors.
“Just being able to work with the Liacouras Center and have permission to actually use all the space here, which has helped, even this morning is better than yesterday,” Stanford said.
The group administered the Modern vaccine in order of arrival. No appointment was required, but the event was not just for anyone.
People must have been in phases 1A and 1B to be eligible for admission and have lived within certain postcodes.
Phase 1B includes those over the age of 75, along with people with medical conditions, first aid, as well as those working in childcare, food, public transportation, retail and manufacturing.
Stanford said he carried a sleeping bag with her. He said he was present throughout the 24-hour operation and witnessed the seemingly endless line.
“He tells me people want to live. They see that this can save their lives, but it also gives them back their lives. That’s why there are so many people here,” Stanford said.
Postal codes that were prioritized at the 24-hour clinic included: 19104, 19119, 19121, 19123, 19124, 19126, 19131, 19132, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19150, 19151 and 19153.
According to the consortium, the zip codes were approved by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
The zip codes on the list are areas of the city with the highest number of infections and deaths, but the lowest vaccination rates, officials said.
The consortium also said teachers living within the most affected zip codes could be vaccinated during the 24-hour event.
Craig Mortimore of West Philadelphia was first in line.
“It’s about life. It will improve the quality of my life,” Mortimore said.
He arrived at the stairs of downtown Liacouras at 4:45 a.m. Friday. With health issues and no other access to get an appointment with the vaccine, this was his best option.
After receiving the shot, he could only describe the feeling as “Relief!”
Those who received the vaccine will have to take a second shot at a future event.
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