In order to get as many people vaccinated for the coronavirus as possible, Kentucky took an additional step by asking the federal government to help staff some clinics in the state.
When vaccine allotments for each state were being calculated, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear doubled down on getting more vaccine for residents through a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The FEMA clinics' vaccine is over and above the state allotment.
Unlike what you’re going to see in Indiana, the staff of the FEMA vaccine clinic at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Office in Henderson are all dressed in military fatigues. They’re a combination of national guard and active duty military personnel on temporary duty for six weeks to staff this clinic and three mobile sites in western Kentucky.
FEMA spokesman CJ Prudhom says they’re seeing the same vaccine hesitancy here that is being experienced across the country.
“Sometimes it’s a religious belief that if I get the vaccine, something’s going to happen and I can’t get into heaven." Prudhom says, "Sometimes they’ve talked to family members and the family says don’t do it because it’s dangerous. It’s frustrating sometimes, yes.”
The FEMA clinic in Henderson is available for free doses of the Pfizer vaccine for the next three weeks. You can find all available vaccine locations in Kentucky at commvax.patientportalky.com
