WASHINGTON – The Howard University Faculty Practice Plan in conjunction with Howard University Hospital (HUH) today announced the opening of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for District of Columbia residents age 65 and older. The new clinic provides one of the city’s most vulnerable patient populations with direct access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s no secret that COVID-19 exposure and mortality rates in the communities that we serve are three-times higher than the national average. And those who have unfortunately passed away from this deadly disease have been disproportionately people of color,” says Dr. Hugh E. Mighty, dean of the Howard University College of Medicine and vice president of clinical affairs. “This vaccine serves as a powerful tool in our ongoing fight to combat the virus, and the importance of administering it first to high-risk patient populations is a critical endeavor that I am proud to take on.”

The clinic is located in the Numa P.G. Adams Building (508 W Street NW, Washington, D.C.) on the campus of Howard University and will offer residents the first and second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is a two-shot process that has to be administered 21 days apart in order to prime the body’s natural defenses (immune system) to fight off the virus if the body is ever exposed to the disease at a later time.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your family and everyone around you from being exposed to the disease,” says Howard University Hospital CEO Anita L.A. Jenkins. "This is a worldwide pandemic and the vaccine is a worldwide solution to help end this unprecedented crisis. The more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19 means there will be less disease in our communities and a better chance to return to normalcy.”

Today’s announcement is part of the District of Columbia’s mandate for city hospitals to create a vaccine outreach plan aimed at at-risk residents 65 and older, under Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan. D.C. residents who fall into the appropriate age category can sign up to receive the shot by scheduling an appointment through the HU Faculty Practice Plan COVID-19 vaccine portal at https://howarduniversityfppcovid19vaccination.as.me/1stdoseonly. The vaccine clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. by appointment.

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For media inquiries contact: Tony Blue, ablue@huhosp.org.