By Collin Riviello

 

Luminis Health is partnering with the town of Riverdale and Greg’s Towing to sponsor a free covid vaccine clinic at the Riverdale Farmers Market. The next clinics at the weekly market are planned for Aug. 5 and  Aug. 26. Anyone may receive their first and second dose at each clinic free of charge. 

 

Jim Coleman, Market Coordinator for the Riverdale Farmers Market, described the partnership as a “strategic fit”.

 

“I knew we had a good following at the Farmers Market,” said Coleman. “I know we also have a vulnerable population in our Latin American customers and other customers of need [such as] immigrants. I felt like it was a natural fit … a strategic fit, both for the community and for the organizations [involved].” 

 

According to Coleman, Luminis Health had reached out to Riverdale earlier this year to try to sponsor a free vaccine clinic. Once Coleman heard about this, he had a meeting with the town clerk and Greg’s Towing to try to have the Farmers Market play host. He then hashed out the final details with Luminis Health in a separate meeting. 

 

Coleman’s passion for supporting the community is what drove him to make the clinic possible. Per Maryland.gov, Prince George’s County has 50.6 percent of its population vaccinated with a first dose and 44.9 percent with a second dose. And while it does not have the lowest proportion of vaccinated residents in the state, the densely populated regions of the county and the ever-growing threat of the Delta variant, have Coleman worried, which is why the market still mandates it’s guests wear face-coverings at all times even for fully-vaccinated individuals, and why it still follows social distancing guidelines. 

 

“I believe vaccination is the way to get us out of [this pandemic]”, said Coleman

 

He said he wants everything to go back to normal, and he wants to not have to mandate mask wearing at the market, but the health and safety of the community is imperative to him and has been since 2006, which is when Coleman took on the role of Market Coordinator. 

 

“The best feeling I have gotten from this experience has been serving the neighbors. It is a great pleasure and privilege,” said Coleman. 

 

Other places offering free covid vaccinations in Hyattsville and Riverdale include CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Giant and Padek Pharmacy. Residents can also look up vaccination sites by distance by going to vaccines.gov

 

Any questions about the clinic or the Riverdale Farmers Market can be emailed to rpkfarmmkt@gmail.com