Local & State Headlines

Clinic get grant for vaccines

• An Albany clinic gets a helping hand froma health insurance company.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

ALBANY — A yet unopened free clinic in Albany was one of 10 throughout the state to receive a grant for vaccinations, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s office announced Tuesday.

The Samaritan Clinic, which has a target opening date of Dec. 8, was awarded a $5,000 check from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to buy adult flu and pneumococcal immunizations.

“As the flu and pneumonia season approaches, it is important that all Georgians have access to these important vaccines,” said Monye Connolly, president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia.

Nedra Fortson, director of The Samaritan Clinic, said she learned about the grant through the Free Georgia Clinic Network and later applied for it. She said it was collaborative efforts — those of state Rep. Winfred Dukes, D- Albany, the Free Georgia Clinic Network and Cagle’s office — that led to the award.

“Because our clinic wasn’t open yet, I wasn’t sure we were going to qualify. But, it sure was timely,” Forston said Tuesday afternoon, en route to Albany after having received the check from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cagle in Atlanta.

“It (the funds) goes a long way toward helping the community in terms of vaccinating. We know there’s a big need out there, and we are still in that time frame where it’s still appropriate,” she said. “We are just ecstatic.”

The clinic’s details — who it will serve; when it will be open; funding sources; staffing sources — are yet to be solidified, Forston said.

“Our purpose is to provide health care services for people who can’t afford health insurance,” she said. Fortson added that the facility aims to provide health care while also helping patients secure the medications they need at prices they can afford, or for free.

She did note that the clinic, an effort of Mount Zion Baptist Church and Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, will initially be helped off the ground by those organizations, later relying on fundraising.

The clinic, which has secured a site at 401A S. Madison St. in Albany, may initially be open one day a week and by appointment only, she said. Clinical and clerical staff will be volunteer, said Fortson, a registered nurse.

Other clinics that received grants are located in Athens, Brunswick, Gainesville, Greensboro, Macon, Milledgeville, Morrow, Stockbridge and Warner Robins.

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