“We’ve recruited many people this morning just by knocking on their door and telling them the vaccine was available,” said Vernon Vaccination Coordinator William Meier.
Going door to door, volunteers alerted the neighborhood of a vaccine clinic, set up walking distance from their home, eliminating the need to travel to a mass clinic.
“I’ve talked to at least 25 people in here so far that would have trouble getting up (to a mass vaccine location) and they think this is the greatest thing that ever happened,” said Vernon Village resident John Shane.
Mobile home complexes like Vernon Village have many units within close proximity to each other. Consequently, health officials say there’s heightened importance to get people vaccinated in places like this.
Mayor Dan Champagne says the goal is simple: get the COVID-19 vaccine to every person who wants it.
“My vision is to get the shots in people’s arms,” said Champagne. “If you want that shot, I want to give it to you.”
Subsequently, Vernon went to work. Setting up clinics. Not just in Vernon but in many surrounding towns as well. Ellington’s Senior Center was where Vernon’s mobile unit set up shop Wednesday.
Susan Modzelewski of Ellington was among those receiving her first dose there.
“I think it’s great,” she said of Vernon’s efforts to help. “The more people that get involved, trying to coordinate this the better because it’s massive.”
UpdatedSat, Jan 30, 2021 at 5:01 pm ET
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A person was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries following a crash on Route 74, according to police. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)
VERNON, CT A person was transported to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries following a 2-vehicle crash on Route 74 and Kingsbury Ave. late Saturday morning.
The crash, involving a Tesla and a pickup truck, was reported at 11:15 a.m. The driver of the car was airlifted via LifeStar helicopter, while a child in the car was taken to Hartford Hospital by private vehicle, Lt. William Meier said.
Two occupants of the pickup truck were taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Meier said.
That demand has led some people, like Dominick, to search for vaccination locations.
“I’d like to know where they are,” said Dominick. “We were going to go to Glastonbury, but they moved us down here.”
Attempting to fill that need, Vernon has added a single day vaccination center. It will operate Friday at the Vernon Senior Center. This location was added to the VAMS scheduling system this week and is listed as the North Central Health District Clinic. Officials say there are several open appointments available.
“People need to register online. We’re not accepting any walk-up appointments,” said Meier.
Police are analyzing evidence seized as the search continues for a suspect who fired shots into an apartment building in Vernon early Friday.The suspect, who fled on foot after scrambling from his stopped getaway car, may have reached Massachusetts.