KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — COVID-19 vaccinations, which are always free, were available Sunday, July 4 in Kernersville at an Independence Day celebration.
Staff with the Forsyth County Health Department gave the shots, no appointment required, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Triad Park, 9652 West Market St, Kernersville.
The event at Triad Park on Sunday was the first concert in the 6th annual Summer Parks Concert Series. The NC National Guard 440th Army Band presented a free pops concert.
Families with lawn chairs, umbrellas, and blankets lazed on the lawn enjoying the weather and music. Food trucks parked nearby offered meal choices.
"It feels amazing. It is so exciting to see the vibrancy come back to the community at in-person events," said Chase Law, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. "Because of the pandemic, we had to cancel all of our events for last year, but we are back again this year, it's great."
The Forsyth County Health Department set up its van to deliver walk-up COVID-19 vaccinations.
"It helps your neighbor. It's your civic duty to get the vaccine, to help others. It not only protects you, it also protects those around you," said Joshua Swift, Forsyth County Health Director.
"The vaccine is our way to mark our independence from COVID," Swift added. "It protects us, it prevents death, it prevents serious illness, and that's what we are trying to do by making it accessible here on a beautiful day out at Triad Park.
Swift said 12-24-year-olds have the lowest vaccination numbers out of any other age group.
"We are really trying to reach out tweens, our teens, our really young adults, those are our groups that need the vaccine the most," Swift said.
Across the United States, the country did not meet President Biden's goal of at least 70% of adults receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4.
In North Carolina, 56% of adults have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, according to the most recent data published July 2 by NCDHHS.
Sunday at midnight is the deadline to be entered in North Carolina's second $1 million dollar lottery and teen scholarship drawing, which will take place on Wednesday, July 7.
The winner of the first $1 million dollar lottery was a 45-year-old teacher from Winston-Salem.