Covid vaccine to be available for first responders next week

Jan 6, 2021

Firefighters, emergency medical services, and police officers in Wareham are set to begin receiving the coronavirus vaccine on Monday.

Wareham officials are collaborating with those from Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester to distribute about 400 vaccines to first responders. The vaccine will be administered by Public Health Nurses and staff from the Tri-Town and Wareham.

Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail said there are around 400 eligible first responders in the Tri-Town and Wareham, all of whom will have to make an appointment to receive the vaccine.

Marion’s Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais also updated the Board of Health at a Jan. 5 meeting on plans for the vaccination clinics.

“We’re still working out some of the specifics,” she said, adding that it will be a drive-thru system similar to the flu clinics held in the fall.

“They’re going to be using the big tent over at the community center, with appropriate heating,” noted Marion health board chair Ed Hoffer. “We got 400 [doses], which was our request.”

Hoffer added that they estimate around 360 first responders will get the vaccine.

“It’s very difficult to predict exactly,” he said. “We should have at least adequate cover for the people who show up.”

At Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Alan Slavin reported that state officials are expecting to begin vaccinating the general public in April. People over the age of 75 or those with qualifying illnesses are expected to receive the vaccine in February.