CANTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — First responders are helping speed up the vaccination rollout in Canton, and now there's a push for more towns to do the same.
Dr. Dan Muse, the emergency medical physician at Brockton Hospital, said local boards of health in the surrounding areas don't currently have the manpower to handle the number of vaccinations needed.
"In order to have the resources, it's best to look to your own town," Dr. Muse said.
That's exactly what the the town of Canton has done. Certified EMT's, police officers and firefighters were among those administering hundreds of vaccines at a community clinic this week, which was set up at the Orchard Cove senior living center.
"So now you have quite frankly in every town, foot soldiers, shall we say, that can do the vaccinations," Dr. Muse said. "It can be replicated not only throughout the state, it can be replicated throughout the country, because there is EMS throughout every corner of the United States."
Orchard Cove executive director Aline Russotto said the clinic was "pretty incredible."
"The fire department, police department, local Board of Health in Canton and Orchard Cove collaborated in getting 200 older adults vaccinated right in our community," Russotto said. "It was really extraordinary. We probably had about a dozen fire department individuals and a dozen officers helping, Board of Health, and then Orchard Cove staff administering vaccines and helping with the flow of the day.”
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports:
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App
Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Courtesy of Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz)