Despite reports surfacing regarding logistical issues around the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine nationally, it has gone as well as can be expected in the Monadnock region for a mass vaccination program that began in mid-December for those identified in Phase 1A.
Monadnock Community Hospital became the first area provider to vaccinate a portion of its employees on Dec. 18, when 35 staff members where given the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, that had only been approved for immediate use by the FDA a week prior. A subsequent vaccination clinic two days later provided 30 more doses to employees who fell into the high risk category.
“The vaccine roll out at MCH has gone smoothly. We have offered the vaccine to all of our frontline employees who fall in the high-risk category, those with direct interactions with patients,” said Laura Gingras, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations at MCH.
On Monday, Gingras said 195 high-risk employees have been given their first dose of the vaccine.
“On Friday, we will have another vaccine clinic and begin giving the second dose to high-risk employees as well as some first doses for high-risk employees,” Gingras said. “We are working very closely with the state on the distribution process. We are awaiting further guidance on roll out of the vaccine to lower risk groups of our employees.”
Included in the Phase 1A group were residents and employees in nursing home facilities, while those in assisted living communities are among the next group to receive the vaccine. First responders were also part of the Phase 1A grouping and the vaccination process for local EMTs, firefighters and police officers has begun.
Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker said he submitted a roster to the state just before Christmas, which included 65 names of full-time, part-time, per diem and on call people associated with the department.
Walker said the vaccine is not mandatory for the department and that PFD is not the primary organization for a number of members, so he said it was hard to know an exact number of who had been vaccinated or were choosing to do so as of Monday, but that he was aware of a dozen or so who received their first dose. Walker said after submitting the roster he was asked to determine each person’s level of contact with the public, which would help the state decide how various people within departments around the state would be vaccinated.
New Ipswich Fire Chief Meredith Lund said on Monday that a little less than half of the department’s 28 members had declared they would get the vaccine. Among the 28, six fell into the top priority category.
“Some were unknown and some were definitely no,” she said. “It seems to be more of the younger generation that will take their chances.”
Walker said each individual was asked to fill out a survey in the Vaccine Administration Management System, which is an optional web-based program that helps keep track of vaccination sites, set up appointments and allows for reminders to be sent out.
Walker said the state set up 13 vaccination centers around the state, the closest being Keene and Nashua for those in this area of the state, and on Dec. 31, Walker said he received his first dose of the Moderna vaccine at the Keene State College athletic complex location.
“It was so simple,” Walker said. Once his identity was confirmed along with his appointment, Walker said he was directed to a parking space and got a shot. After a 15-minute waiting period to observe for any adverse reactions, he was sent on his way. He equated it to being very similar to a coronavirus testing site.
Lund said she drove to Keene on Saturday in the snowstorm to get her first dose and it was pretty easy. She showed a QR code on her phone and then was quickly given the shot.
“Then I waited 15 minutes to make sure I didn’t have a reaction,” Lund said. By the time she got hone she had an email telling her to sign up for her second dose on Jan. 30.
While Walker has heard about issues around the country, he said he didn’t encounter a single one during any step of the process.
“I think part of it is we don’t have as many people to vaccinate,” Walker said. “The numbers here make it a little more manageable.”
Of course there are unknowns of how it will all play out moving forward, but for Walker there was only one avenue to take – and that was to get the vaccine.
“I don’t see a downside to it,” he said. “And I haven’t heard of any issues.”
Lund said she had a bit of a sore arm, but no reaction. She said she did quite a bit of research, right up until she left for her appointment, to make sure she had all the facts before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
“In the end it all made sense,” Lund said. Adding “you don’t want to get (COVID-19) and you certainly don’t want to spread it either.”
She said it was important to get the vaccine and was impressed with how it was all put together.
“So far New Hampshire seems like they’re doing it right,” Lund said.