Iconic Harlem Restaurant Melba's Offers Pop-Up Vaccination Site

HARLEM, NY — As the delta variant of the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause a spike in positive cases around New York City and the rest of the nation, Harlem remains one of the lowest vaccinated areas of the city.

Melba Wilson, the owner of one of the city’s most iconic restaurants, wants to be part of the solution. On Friday, Wilson – who runs the legendary soul food eatery – opened a one-day mobile vaccination center outside of her Harlem restaurant.

According to New York City health department data, Harlem remains well below the average of vaccinated residents, falling behind both the city-wide averages and that of Manhattan. Enter Wilson, who used her famous Grandma Mea’s sweet potato pie recipe to try to entice local residents into getting a shot and to add their name to the list of Harlem residents who have gotten at least one dose of the vaccines.

Melba’s, located at 300 W. 114th St., opened the vaccination center at noon on Friday. Wilson partnered with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office, the New York City Health Department and Harlem community leaders to launch the site, which Wilson hopes will help inspire those who haven't been vaccinated to do so in an area of the city where only anywhere between 57 and 61 percent of residents have received a COVID-19 vaccine shot.

“Too many people in our community are dying because they are not vaccinated, we are leaders in the community and are hoping that people look at us, if you don't trust the science, trust us," Wilson said on Friday.

Friday’s pop-up vaccination site drew the attention of several celebrities and Harlem community leaders including Assemblywoman Inez Dickens, Dr. Hazel Dukes, president of NAACP New York, MSNBC political anchor Joy Reid, author Dr. Sampson Davis, Harlem fashion and celebrity trailblazers Dapper Dan and Bevy Smith and others.

Organizers of the vaccination said that the site drew a number of residents who admitted being nervous and worried that the shot would be painful. But after getting a dose of the vaccine, patients, including local resident Shyla Velez, pledged to spread the word about the need to become vaccinated.

The vaccination center was only to be opened on Friday, but Wilson said that she hopes to do another pop-up vaccination site in the future as the community continues to be affected by the delta variant.

“Thanks to Melba’s Restaurant and all of the Harlem community leaders today for helping more New Yorkers access the vaccine and stay healthy and safe,” Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance said on Friday. “It was a fabulous effort and a critical step for supporting neighbors, local restaurants and New York City’s ongoing recovery.”