Help sought for future Covid vaccination clinic

Town officials are gearing up for a possible Covid-19 vaccination clinic and are seeking volunteers, though much is still unknown.

“We do not even know for sure if Lincoln will get the vaccine from [the state Department of Public Health], so we ask that people seek the vaccine from their primary care providers or when public clinics are advertised,” said Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean. “Large public clinics at Gillette, Topsfield Fairgrounds, the Big E, and UMass-Amherst are supposedly going to open at the end of the month. Do not wait for a town clinic.” In offering vaccinations, the town must adhere to the three-phase approach outlined by DPH, she added.

For the possible vaccination clinic and other functions, the Lincoln Public Health Task Force is seeking volunteers to join the Lincoln Medical Reserve Corps. Volunteers with medical, logistics, communication, and computer skills, but everyone can help in some way. Volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps is a simple and effective way to support the needs of Lincoln while also helping your family, friends, and neighbors stay safe and healthy, said Fire Chief Brian J. Young

Lincoln Medical Reserve Corps organizers are interested in gathering early information on how many town residents might be interested in volunteering to assist in the vaccination effort. The clinics will occur between March and May and will be held at a location in Lincoln. The roles they need assistance with include the following:

• Parking lot coordinator (non-clinical) — Mostly outdoors. Confirming appointment times and verbally guiding residents to appropriate locations
• Vaccine check-in administrator (non-clinical) — Indoor position. Greet people, validate scheduled appointment and participant ID, arrive to appointment and direct to vaccination area.
• Vaccinators (clinical) — Indoor position. Must be RN, MD or certified to administer vaccinations. Vaccinate personnel and direct to waiting and Check-out area.
• EMS clinical surveillance (clinical) — Emergency medical staff to be present to provide assistance should an individual have an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
• Vaccine check-out administrator (non-clinical) — Indoor position. Guide participant to waiting area, validate appointment for second vaccine is scheduled at date confirmed, provide vaccine card and make sure participants wait approximately 15 minutes before departure.

Fire Chief Brian J. Young will be hosting public Zoom meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. to discuss the Medical Reserve Corps and to answer questions. Anyone interested may email lincolnMRC@lincolntown.org.