This content is sponsored by Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

As Kansas City University strives to live our mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve, our campus community is proud to partner with the Black Health Care Coalition in the coming weeks to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations each Saturday through Oct. 9 at the Gregg Klice Community Center, 1600 East 17th Terr. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, in Missouri, more than 12,000 people have died from COVID-19. On Thursday, Sept. 23, in Jackson County, Mo. alone, 1,889 people were diagnosed with the disease and 60 people died from COVID. The greater majority of these positive cases and deaths were unvaccinated people.  According to a report recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unvaccinated individuals are 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated. 

Now that our children have returned to the classroom, there is an increased risk of their exposure to COVID-19 making it ever more important for the adults in their household to be vaccinated. Remaining healthy for your children is not only critical to your health and welfare but also to your children who depend on you.  

Remaining unvaccinated puts you at much higher risk of severe COVID-19. Should you become infected, you are more likely to become seriously sick for a long period of time and possibly have lasting damage—even if you’re young and healthy. 

Vaccinations are an essential tool for keeping our community safe. They are free and readily available. It’s the right thing to do. Not only for your own health, but for the health of those you love. You can protect your future with the choice you make. Don’t wait. Vaccinate today.