Black health initiative returns to Nova Scotia to encourage immunizations

Black health and wellness clinics are popping up in Halifax encouraging African Nova Scotians to get immunized.

As COVID-19 and other viruses continue to circulate in the region, an initiative has returned to Nova Scotia to get more African Nova Scotians vaccinated.

Black Health and Wellness Immunization Clinics, started by Nova Scotia Health, offer African Nova Scotians a chance receive free vaccinations, including for COVID-19, influenza, shingles, adult RSV and other viruses.

“Due to anti-Black racism, social and economic factors, Black people are more likely to be affected by those serious health conditions,” says Tykora Brinton, a family practice registered nurse with the Nova Scotia Sisterhood.

“They put these (clinics) together in hopes for folks to get out and to get vaccinated in a place that feels safe for them.”

Brinton says an effort was made to have the clinics in African Nova Scotian communities, including Halifax’s north end and Hammonds Plains.

“A lot of folks like to stay in their community because that’s where they feel safe and traveling outside of that is kind of scary to certain people. So bringing it to them and meeting them where they’re at gives them that sense of security and safety that they’ve been wanting,” says Brinton.

“We know that culturally-specific vaccination clinics will provide more familiar and respectful areas for people to go and seek out medical advice, but also get vaccinations,” says Colleen MacInnis, the owner of TLC Pharmasave in Shelburne, N.S.

“I would encourage anyone going to those to ask questions of the health-care providers that are there, find out what vaccines are available to them, and learn more about what vaccines are available and make some informed decisions on vaccinations this season.”

People can either drop in or book an appointment for the vaccines as well as COVID-19 and influenza tests. Pneumococcal and shingles vaccines are drop-in only.

Although the clinics are culturally-specific, people of all backgrounds are welcomed to attend.

“We know that young children and older adults, as well as anyone living with a compromised immune system, is at a higher risk from any of these viruses that are circulating. So it’s really important for those patients to get vaccinated, but it’s equally important for those in the community who don’t fall into those categories to get vaccinated, to help protect those around them,” says MacInnis.

This weekend, two Black Health and Wellness Immunization Clinics will be held.

One will be at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 633 Pockwock Rd. in Hammonds Plains on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Halifax North Memorial Public Library at 2285 Gottingen St. will also have a clinic open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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