Online vaccine sign-ups easier thanks to Du, FHS sophomore

Now that everyone in Tennessee age 16 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, a Farragut High School sophomore is offering assistance to anyone experiencing difficulties with online vaccine sign-ups.

Nolan Du, 15, worked with fellow FHS 10th-grader Kate Ford to develop a website and program, Vaccine Initiative, as part of a non-profit organization called Students for Betterment, which Du founded.

Du said he was watching the news and saw where someone his age was “doing the exact same thing in Chicago, and he had helped over 1,000 people get registered.

“I thought it would be great to have this same type of service here — really everywhere — because everyone needs to get the vaccine,” he said.

The website is accessible through a QR code. By scanning the code, potential registrants are taken to the Vaccine Initiative webpage and walked through a four-step process to sign up for available vaccines.

“Signing up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can be tricky and confusing,” Du stated on the website before directing readers to consider “the three main options for registering, which includes one for those “proficient with technology,” another for those “non proficient with technology” and one for individuals wishing to register though Knox County Health Department.

Du has even included a way to contact him though the website for more hands-on assistance.

“I helped a lady make an appointment last week,” he said. “She had been on a wait list with Knox County Health Department for a while, and when she heard I could help her schedule an appointment without waiting time, she immediately asked me to help.

“Now she has an appointment,” which wasWednesday, April 14.

“Also, I just learned that a restaurant owner in Maryville was able to make the vaccine appointment for himself and his family following the instruction from my website,” Du added. “(Before that) he still did not know he and his family are already eligible for vaccines until our reaching out to him.

“I am so glad to hear our organization’s reaching out could help people who are still confused with the vaccine registration eligibility and appointment process. What happened really reflects our non-profit organization’s goal on this Vaccine Initiative: We are doing our part in beating this pandemic and helping others to do theirs.”

While the site and program currently is mainly targeting those wishing to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Du said Vaccine Initiative is “specifically built to find all vaccines.”

Although Du is not yet able to drive, he relies on family members and friends to help him get the word out about the initiative, which went live just two weeks ago.

Last week, his Bridgewater subdivision neighbor, Bill Truex, drove him to Farragut Town Hall, West Knox County Senior Center, farragutpress and Farragut Community Center, during a school in-service day, to help publicize the website.

Truex noted Du has had a “servant’s heart” for many years, looking for ways to help his community and demonstrating it as young as 8 years old.

“Someone threw a glass bottle on our street, and Nolan came out with a broom and helped me clean it up,” Truex said. “I didn’t even have to ask, he just came and offered.”

Du, the son of Maohua Du and Li Wang, said he is just glad to be helping the community on its way back to some kind of “normal.”

“I am excited about what’s coming, and hopefully more and more people in our community will be able to get vaccinated so the restaurants and stores can have more people visiting. It is good for the local economy and we have a safer place to live.”

For more information, e-mail Du at nolan.puran.du@gmail.com.