Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 1/27/2021
LONGMEADOW – The Town of Longmeadow announced on their Facebook page on Jan. 19 that their COVID-19 team are looking for volunteers to help them run the Phase 2 and 3 vaccination clinics.
Though Longmeadow is still in Phase 1 of the state's vaccination timeline, Town Manager Lyn Simmons said as of now the town is preparing for Phase Two clinics to begin in March.
“The goal of running municipal clinics is to provide the vaccine to the residents and employees of the town of Longmeadow as safely and effectively as possible,” Simmons stated. “The town's vaccination clinic will be run out of Greenwood Center, 231 Maple Rd. We estimate to need 60 to 80 volunteers to run clinics for 16 weeks. We have various volunteer positions available and most will be in direct contact with people such as vaccinators, greeters, administrative support staff, call takers, observers after vaccination is administered and drivers for those unable to drive to the clinic.”
The COVID-19 Team is composed of a COVID-19 Response Coordinator Andy Fraser, COVID-19 Public Health Coordinator Cheryl Messer-Lusty, Vaccine Coordinator Karl Zinnack, Administrative Assistant Mike Barbieri, Town Manager Lyn Simmons and Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director John Dearborn.
Dearborn told Reminder Publishing the town started solicitations on Jan. 19 and have over 150 people that have registered. The vaccinators in particular will be in direct contact and the registration people will be behind plexiglass. They will provide everybody in the clinic personal protection equipment and plan on vaccinating their volunteer pool first.
“The more people that get vaccinated, the better off we are to be generally to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” Dearborn said. “Our goal is to vaccinate as many Longmeadow residents that want the vaccine or need the vaccine and to make sure nobody gets left behind. If anybody out there that needs it, we'll do whatever we can to get it to them.”
Longmeadow is encouraging people to participate in their clinics. They will provide transportation to those who need it and are currently working on a solution to those who are home bound which the state is also working on different guidance’s for it as well.
“The vaccine signifies the beginning of the end of the pandemic,” Simmons replied. “It offers hope that a return to ‘normal’ is on the horizon, while protecting ourselves, our family, friends, co-workers, etc.”
A form is now available on www.longmeadow.org/1237/COVID-19-Vaccine to submit your interest in helping out. Volunteers will be asked to commit to at least two four-hour shifts per week.
The town urges residents to use the online form to express interest and refrain from emailing the Health Department. It will be updated as more information is available and specific plans for the vaccination clinics are finalized.
On Jan. 25, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that Phase 2 of the State’s vaccination schedule would begin on Feb. 1 and individuals aged 75 years and older would be prioritized first, followed by individuals 65 years and older, and individuals with two or more comorbidities.
In a press release on Jan. 26, from the town of Longmeadow, they explained, “The announcement also included the opening of additional mass vaccination sites and coordination with pharmacies to administer the vaccine. Prior to this announcement local boards of health were notified that vaccination supply to municipal clinics would be limited to 100 doses per week for the next four weeks. This is a significantly smaller supply than the town was preparing for and reduces Phase 2 administration for the municipal clinic for the foreseeable future.
Beginning Jan. 27, individuals 75 years and older can begin making appointments for the State’s mass vaccination site in Springfield at the Eastfield Mall, appointments will be for Feb. 1 and later.
To make an appointment and for more information on the state’s vaccination clinics visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-locations-for-individuals-in-phase-1>.
“The town’s COVID-19 team is ready, willing and able to open the municipal vaccination clinic as soon as the supply of vaccine improves and shipment of the vaccine is confirmed by the Department of Public Health,” the release shared. “Last week’s call for volunteers yielded a terrific response, we have over 250 residents signed up to assist. We look forward to offering a vaccination clinic in the future.”
Payton North contributed to this article.