In recent weeks, health care organizations have vaccinated millions, with a goal of vaccinating all so the world might be protected from COVID-19 and variants. Problems they faced were maintenance of temperatures required for shipping, equitable vaccine supplies, numbers of doses shipped, state rules, trained staff, maintaining social distancing at sites, and online registration for appointments.

Beneath that turmoil, dedicated nurses together with housing workers and other professionals were putting their heads together to come up with workable, common-sense plans for vaccinating.

Northern Light Inland Hospital’s Outreach Plan emerged in the Waterville area. It acknowledged that it knew where senior citizen housing was located in the area, and it put together a team which travelled to those places on a set schedule. Paperwork was delivered in advance to those wishing to be vaccinated, an inoculation team arrived, and seniors were called from their homes in a systematic way which controlled the numbers congregating, and maintained social distancing. Over a period of weeks, regardless of weather, hundreds of central Maine senior citizens were vaccinated.

This outreach was a gift, perhaps the most important benefit of the entire year as far as health care is concerned. Seniors receiving the vaccine were filled with gratitude toward those who made this happen, and with relief that they now are protected.

 

Helen M. McDonald

Waterville

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