Jackson County Rotary Clubs encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations

Now that everyone 16 and up is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi, Jackson County community members are joining forces to help get more people vaccinated.

Today in Pascagoula, one Jackson County leader finally received his vaccine and is encouraging the community to do the same.

‘Sleeves up! Mississippi Vaccinate,” is a new effort put together by four Rotary Clubs in Jackson County to encourage more adults to get the COVID vaccine.

Signs with the clubs message will now be displayed in club members’ yards and in high traffic areas across the country. Moss Point Rotary Member Reverend Peggy Gibson said, “As Rotarians, we believe in service before self. And so, we decided to commit to showing that being leaders in the community that we’ll get ourselves vaccinated and we’ve got signs to promote vaccination for all the other people in Moss Point who are a little hesitant, so that’s the purpose.”

To help kick off the campaign, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell was given his COVID-19 vaccination this afternoon by Dr. Eric Washington of Bienville Orthopedic specialists at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

Originally, Sheriff Ezell was hesitant on getting the vaccine, but is now urging Mississippians to roll up their sleeves. “It’s always important to see that our leaders in the community are participating and trying to do better things for our town and our community. And I feel it necessary for me to step up and take my place.”

For those who still have reservations about receiving the vaccine, Dr. Washington assures that the vaccines are safe and not to be afraid. “We are well over 100 million injections in this country. Well over 100,000 in this state. And if people were having serious, detrimental effects from the injections, we would know at this point. We’ve been playing defense for a year. Wearing masks, social distancing. But now we’ve got an offensive weapon and I think we should take advantage of it.”

Nearly 15,000 people in Jackson County have been fully vaccinated as of Thursday, including Gibson who suffered from a respiratory disorder as a child. “I’m done. Why do you think I’m without my mask? I’m mask free. I can wear my make up now, my lipstick. I am very pleased.”

Sheriff Ezell says he is looking forward to getting his second shot in three weeks and being fully vaccinated.