Commissioners’ Public Update program will feature local medical professionals and faith leaders
Reading, PA — The Berks County Commissioners will host a Media and Public Update program on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 3:30 PM on Microsoft Teams Live Event. Click here to find the link to this meeting. This Press Event will also be streamed Live to the Berks County Facebook page, YouTube channel and BCTV. This week’s program will feature a discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine with local medical professionals and faith leaders. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is readily available in our community, vaccine providers are experiencing less interest and a decline in appointments. The panel will discuss some of the factors that may be contributing to that disinterest, address some of the common questions and concerns they are hearing about the vaccine and dispel myths that are making the rounds on social media.
Welcome – Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Comments – Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt
Comments – Commissioner Michael Rivera
Introduction of the Panel – Commissioner Leinbach
• Dr. Accamma Joy – Physician Site Director, Berks Community Health Center
• Erin Churico, CRNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Berks Community Health Center
• Jeannie Stephen, CRNP – Family Nurse Practitioner, Berks Community Health Center
• Pastor Ibrahim Bangura – Executive Pastor, Spring Valley Church of God
• Pastor Delphine Allen – Administrative Pastor, Spring Valley Church of God
• The Rev. Nicolas Camacho – Retired United Methodist pastor and retired US Army Chaplain. Coordinator Chaplain for the Reading Police Department
The Panel will address the following topics:
1. What is the general COVID-19 vaccine outlook in Berks County? How many people are vaccinated; What vaccines are available locally; Where can residents go to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
2. What has been your personal experience with COVID-19 and the vaccine? If you’ve gotten the vaccine, why did you decide to get it? Would you recommend that others also get the vaccine? If so, why?
3. Local vaccine providers are reporting that they are seeing a decline in COVID-19 appointments: Based on your interactions with the community, what factors do you think are contributing to this?
4. What are the some of the common questions and concerns you are hearing from the community about the COVID-19 vaccine?
5. There are also several claims circulating on social media. What information and facts do you think are important for people to know and understand? Are there any myths or rumors about the COVID-19 vaccine that you would like to address?
6. Questions and Answers – Facilitated by Commissioner Leinbach
