The INSIDER - 2021 Year End Edition

COVID - 19 vaccination rates across East Texas still continue to lag behind the rest of the country; in Smith County, as well as the city of Tyler, it’s a similar story — in some areas, the difference is nearly 40 percentage points behind the U.S. national average. For minoritized populations and communities within the region, the gap varies significantly, and in some cases exceeds the aforementioned 40 percentage point discrepancy. With this disconcerting issue looming right in Texas College’s back yard, the College took action to best preserve community health. To help combat this vaccination disparity, Texas College partnered with District 3 - Northwest City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shirley McKellar and the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) to bring four COVID - 19 vaccination clinics to the Texas College campus over the course of the Fall 2021 semester. Dr. Cynthia Marshall - Biggins, Vice President for Student Affairs, coordinated efforts with Dr. McKellar and NET Health to ensure an efficient and quick process for patients. Equipped with ample staff, nurses, and the varied doses of the vaccine in place, the four clinics successfully served hundreds of members of the community at - large, as well as students, alumni, faculty, and staff in need of the COVID - 19 vaccine. Clara Madison, a student at Texas College, readily received the COVID - 19 vaccine at the on - campus clinic. "I wanted to keep myself safe and my family safe," commented Madison. “My parents are elderly, so I want to be able to be around them more, and do so safely.” She elaborated that spending time with her family, worry - free, was important, and the COVID - 19 vaccine provided her the best line of defense to do so. “The College was very grateful to partner with NET Health and Dr. McKellar to host this series of vaccination clinics on our campus,” noted Dr. Marshall - Biggins. “With the campus nestled right in the community, these clinics allow us to serve COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY HEALTH Pictured left: Texas College students receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Texas College’s clinic on campus.

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