SILER CITY — The Hispanic Liaison’s COVID-19 Health Fair in September will now offer vaccination incentives, the Liaison’s executive director, Ilana Dubester, announced Friday in an email news release.
The health fair will be held outdoors from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the Chatham Rabbit Cafe courtyard, where it’ll offer free COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and information booths staffed by various health organizations.
And now, prizes.
Once jabbed, newly vaccinated participants will receive a $100 visa gift card from the North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services, plus a box of food from CORA. Those who are already fully or partially vaccinated can benefit, too.
“If somebody brought somebody to get vaccinated and is vaccinated, they get a box, too, as their reward,” Dubester told the News + Record. “If they’re not vaccinated, no.”
To qualify, the vaccinated should bring proof of vaccination. The event will replace the Liaison’s annual Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, which the nonprofit decided to postpone thanks to the rising threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
At the health fair, Greensboro-based medical provider Better Care will administer the vaccinations — both first and second doses — as well as the COVID-19 tests. The fair will have “the full menu of vaccines,” Dubester said, so people can choose among the Pfizer, Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson shots.
The event will accept walk-ins, though the Liaison asks that people RSVP with their vaccine preferences so staff can ensure the fair will have enough vaccines. To make room for health information booths and a waiting area, the health fair will temporarily close East Second Street next to the Chatham Rabbit.
“We’re going to try to make it as fun as possible,” Dubester told the News + Record last week. “We’re going to still put up a bunch of decorations to make it lively. I have a DJ. …. He’s bringing his sound system, and he’s going to put on music and entertain people and give announcements and whatever else and at least make some noise and make it a festive COVID Health Fair.”
To reserve a spot and a vaccine, call the Hispanic Liaison at 919-742-1448.
Reporter Victoria Johnson can be reached at victoria@chathamnr.com.