The Harvard Council on Aging would like to thank the Harvard Board of Health, Acton Pharmacy, Ayer Family Pharmacy, the Harvard Ambulance Service, and the Fire Department for their help in supporting the vaccine clinics held March 11 and 12 at Hildreth House, Foxglove Apartments, and Bowers Brook Apartments. Being able to “piggyback” on leftover doses from the clinics offered at our housing apartment complexes was a great way to support the older residents who have been struggling to make appointments and asking for help. Those who called the COA were placed on a waiting list in the hope that one day we would be able to schedule a clinic on our own. We were unable to set one up on our own, but were able to get at least some seniors scheduled with our housing clients.
Thanks to the kindness of the apartment managers and the good relationship we enjoy with them, we were able to vaccinate around 100 seniors, many of them over 75 years old. We called many who were on our waiting list—some at the last minute.
We understand the anxiety around finding appointments for vaccines and will continue to support the community in any way we can. This has been a struggle for those who don’t want to drive all the way to Boston or western Massachusetts, and an even greater struggle for those who are elderly and mobility impaired. We have a list of people who have let us know they still need their vaccines and a list of websites that seem to be easier to use than others in scheduling vaccinations. If you know anyone who would like to be notified if and when a clinic opens up in the area, please give us a call. We are here to help.
Debbie Thompson, director
Harvard Council on Aging
