Casey McDermott, NHPR
Inside one of Nashua’s community COVID-19 vaccine clinics, before patients arrive, nurses, public health workers and first responders are suiting up in scrubs and protective masks, sorting through paperwork and assembling supplies to administer the shots.
“I've been making masks at home for a year, just waiting for an opportunity to put my hand in and help,” said Dr. Ophelia Chang, one of several retired physicians volunteering at the latest clinic. “And this is the first time I felt like there's something I can really do to help save lives.”
There’s also a team of interpreters standing by, ready to help immigrants, refugees and other non-English speakers through the process — in Spanish, French, Swahili and Portuguese. Ira Munoz, who works for the city’s welfare department and provides Spanish language support at these clinics, said this kind of service is essential to help people feel more comfortable and to clear up any misinformation around the COVID-19 vaccine.