covid-19

540 Kids Age 12-15 Receive COVID-19 Vaccine on First Eligible Weekend at the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Clinic

May 19, 2021 by

Brady Rowe (left), age 14, and sister Addison Rowe, age 12, received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 15 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

NEWBURYPORT — For the first time this past weekend, patients at the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative vaccine clinic included those who aren’t yet old enough to drive themselves to their appointment.

Following the Pfizer vaccine’s emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday, May 10 and approval of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Advisory Committee on Wednesday, May 12, first dose appointments at the regional clinic were opened to those aged 12-15 over the weekend.

A total of 229 kids and teens in the 12-15 age group were vaccinated on Saturday, May 15 and another 311 on Sunday, May 16 at the Nock Middle School in Newburyport.

The kids had some mixed emotions before receiving the vaccine, with many feeling nervous before getting the shot.

Addison Rowe, age 12, accompanied by her brother Brady, age 14, and mom Julie, said she thought the shot was scary, but added that it didn’t hurt as bad as she thought it would.

Macie Carter, age 12, who was accompanied by mom Gretchen Keville, said she didn’t want to get the shot, though she said Dice, Pentucket Middle School’s therapy dog, was cute and made things better.

The nerves of some kids were outweighed by the significance of being vaccinated and what it meant to being able to get back to normal.

“I was a little bit nervous when I got into the school, but before I was excited to get it because I knew that once I got both of them I could go on vacation and I wouldn’t have to wear a mask,” said Harrison Allain, age 12.

Grace Jezowski, age 15, said, “It was definitely less stressful than I thought it would be. It’s kind [of] confusing going through all the stations, but I feel like when you go for the second shot it’ll be way easier.”

Gavin Jalbeot, age 13, had a similar perspective, saying “It was much better than I thought it was going to be, it didn’t hurt really, it just pinched a little bit.”

What made everything worth it for many of the kids was knowing that getting vaccinated meant getting back to many of the things they couldn’t do for the past 14 months.

Macie Carter is looking forward to summer camp, while Kylie Normandie, age 13, and Grace Jezowski both are excited to see more of their friends.

Some of the kids also alluded to their excitement about one day being rid of masks, with Gavin Jalbeot being excited to play more basketball without his mask, and Brady Rowe being excited to go more places without having to wear a mask. Traveling was another popular aspiration for the kids.

The accompanying parents also felt excited and relieved when their kids became eligible, knowing the shot provided them an extra layer of protection.

Sara Jalbeot, Gavin’s mom, said, “I was thrilled. As a 13-year-old he probably comes into the most close contact with people on a daily basis, so we will feel a lot better once he’s fully vaccinated like the rest of us.”

Jacqueline Bruce, mom of Harrison Allain, works in the healthcare field and was excited to find out that Harrison would be eligible.

“I got my vaccine back in December. I was one of the first people to get it and I thought it was important to be clear about my belief in the research that had been done and that I trusted what we were being told,” Bruce said.

She added, “For Harrison, I felt like as soon as it opened up I wanted to show that, you know, I had no second thoughts, that I feel very comfortable with where we’re at and that we’re obviously moving in the right direction, and that, you know, I think everyone should be actively trying to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. So the fact that we were able to come so quick was great.”

Along with the 12-15 year-old patients, 566 people ages 16-18, 279 people ages 19-25 and 1,359 aged 26+ received a dose of the vaccine over the weekend.

The Collaborative’s regular weekend clinic sessions will end this week with the last session on Saturday, May 22. However, the Collaborative may run smaller clinics to meet the needs of newly eligible age groups as well as assess the needs for possible future booster shots.

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury.

JGPR is providing communications services to this effort on a pro bono basis.

###

Gavin Jalbeot, age 13, received his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 15 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

Macie Carter (left), age 12, accompanied by mom Gretchen Keville, received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 15 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

Harrison Allain, age 12, received his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 15 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

Kylie Normandie, age 13, received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 15 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

JP Murphy McLaughlin, age 12, pets Pentucket Middle School’s therapy dog Dice as he receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday, May 16 at Nock Middle School in Newburyport. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

From left: Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush and West Newbury Firefighters David Baker and Duncan Weaver with Pentucket Middle School therapy dog Dice at Nock Middle School in Newburyport on Saturday, May 15. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

PHOTOS: Uniformed First Responders of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

March 31, 2021 by jgprstaff

Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush (second from left) briefs State Rep. James M. Kelcourse on the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics as Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher assists a clinic patient moving with the aid of a walker (Courtesy Photo)

AMESBURY — Firefighters, chiefs, police officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and one extremely loveable therapy dog comprise the badge-wearing segment of friendly faces patients run into at the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic.

When communities were presented with the immense challenge of vaccinating everyone against COVID-19, the municipal fire chiefs quickly emerged as some of the organizers-in-chief. Police and fire departments are trained to use a remarkably effective organizational tool called the Incident Command System, or ICS. When the size, scope and frequency of COVID-19 vaccine clinics became apparent, it was clear that clinic organizers would need something like ICS to keep everyone on the same page.

As a result, Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush was selected as the “Incident Commander” for the vaccine initiative, not to be the “boss” but to be a lead organizer for the clinic.

“In many ways, running vaccine clinics is not too different than fighting fires,” Chief Berkenbush said. “We have a location, with a multitude of professionals coming here to perform different tasks. We have people who need our services delivered in a professional and timely manner. We have medical procedures occurring. It all has to be done in an organized manner, and ICS provides that framework. As fire chiefs, we use ICS every day at nearly every incident, and it is a good way to keep everyone on the same page and moving toward our goal of vaccinating our communities.”

With pharmacy staff, medical practitioners, nurse managers, registration desks and observation rooms all running at once, as well as some 200 volunteers reporting for duty each day, ICS provides numerous benefits.

“There are no egos with ICS, and that’s important when you have chiefs, mayors, health directors, town managers, department heads, pharmacists and volunteers all working together. In the fire service, we are accustomed to this. During a serious fire, you may have four or five different fire chiefs show up from various communities, but they all report to one incident commander to ensure the job gets done safety and effectively,” said West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer. “A uniform and a badge does not mean you’re in charge. At our clinics, a firefighter may assist a nurse and a fire chief may help a scheduling volunteer. It’s all about working together.”

The ICS system was designed by the federal government. It can be used for emergencies or planned events. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, benefits of ICS include:

Clarifying chain of command and supervision responsibilities to improve accountability — for volunteers and professional staff alike
Organizing communications with the public and with staff
Providing an orderly, systematic planning process.
Fostering cooperation among departments and agencies.

Since the beginning of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, all nine fire chiefs in the collaborative have volunteered their time, and police chiefs and officers from throughout the region have been on hand in various capacities.

Of all the police and fire personnel on hand, the biggest hit has absolutely been Whittier, the Amesbury Police Department’s 1-year-old therapy dog. Whittier and his partner, Amesbury Police Officer Scott Peters have been present each week to provide comfort to patients and volunteers alike.

This past weekend, March 27-28, the Collaborative administered 2,066 first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, with zero wasted doses and an ongoing efficiency rate over 100% thanks to the skillful work of the pharmacy and medical staff.

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury. Many of the volunteers were from the area, and included municipal employees, public school staff and local residents.

JGPR is providing communications services to this initiative on a pro bono basis.

Amesbury Police Officer Scott Peters and the Amesbury Police Department Therapy Dog Whittier have been a daily presence at the COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Whittier is a calming and loving influence on patients and workers alike. (Courtesy Photo)

Left-to-right: Groveland Fire Lt. Dave Evans, Groveland Firefighter Lisa Evans, Merrimac Firefighter Candace Peltier and Merrimac Firefighter Christian Taylor worked as standby EMS crews, watching over patients in the observation area. (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

Left-to-right: Salisbury Fire Chief Scott Carrigan, Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush, Amesbury Deputy Fire Chief James Nolan and Acting Amesbury Police Chief Craig Bailey. (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

Deputy Newbury Fire Chief Wallace Ziehler directs clinic patients to the observation room (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

West Newbury Firefighter Duncan Weaver helps ensure vaccination stations have proper supplies of PPE such as gloves and alcohol pads. (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher J. LeClaire discusses logistics with two healthcare workers at a recent clinic. (Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian/JGPR)

Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher directs a volunteer at a recent clinic.(Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian/JGPR)

The day before operations began at Amesbury High School, West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, above, programs dozens of iPad tablets for use at the clinic. (Courtesy Photo)

Members of the West Newbury Fire Department stand socially distanced after cleaning up from a clinic at the Page Elementary School. (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

Chief Berkenbush takes questions from WHDH at a recent clinic. (Courtesy Photo/JGPR)

###

Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Vaccinates 2,404 People Over the Weekend

March 15, 2021 by jgprstaff

First Weekend of Expanded Capacity Clinic is an Unbridled Success

Additional Clinic Sessions Scheduled with Additional Sites Expected this Spring

Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush leads a group of recently-vaccinated individuals using wheelchairs through the halls of Amesbury High School during the clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Groveland resident Bonnie Irvine receives her vaccination from Wilmington nurse Peg Bleier at Saturday’s Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Pharmacist Thomas Fahey prepares doses of the vaccine prior to Saturday’s clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Pentucket Regional School District volunteer Laura Buckley assists a patient at the registration table. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

State Rep. James Kelcourse, left, stopped into Saturday’s clinic to see it in action and thank those who were working and volunteering to make it a success. Also pictured are Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush and Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

A couple walks down the hallway to the observation area. Over the course of the weekend, the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative provided vaccine doses to approximately 2,400 patients. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Town of Rowley Health Director Frank Marchegiani guides a patient to the observation room following their vaccination. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Local volunteer and Harvard Kennedy School professional Nora O’Neil checks a patient’s timecard at the exit area of the clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

State Rep. James Kelcourse speaks with Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush, as Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher helps guide a patient through the observation room. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Amesbury Public Schools volunteer Bruce McBrien checks in a patient during Saturday’s clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Nurse Dawn Burke administers the vaccine to Salisbury resident Patricia Gregory. (JGPR Courtesy Photo/Aram Boghosian)

Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove speaks to the media at this weekend’s clinic. (JGPR Courtesy Photo)

Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove stopped by the clinic to show their support and thank those participating. (Courtesy photo/City of Newburyport)

AMESBURY — Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush and West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, on behalf the nine-community Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative, are proud to report that the first weekend of the newly expanded COVID-19 vaccination clinic was a success, with 2,404 patients receiving a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

More than 2,000 hours of volunteer labor went into the Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. clinic sessions at Amesbury High School.

“This community-driven effort has produced results, and we are hearing some of the most inspiring feedback of our careers from our residents. It has been a big lift to expand our clinics from 300 to 1,200 doses per day, but we have shown that when cities and towns come together we can accomplish great things,” Chief Berkenbush said. “On a personal note, after all we have collectively been through over the past year, the career personnel and volunteers alike are in incredible spirits, because we feel like we are actually helping bring our residents closer to a return to normal life.”

Saturday and Sunday represented the seventh and eighth days of the nine-community regional clinic and the first sessions in Amesbury after two clinics at the Newburyport Council on Aging and four others at the Dr. John C. Page School in West Newbury.

Prior to Saturday, the clinic was running at 103% efficiency, with zero wasted doses. The sessions on Saturday and Sunday continued this run with 2,340 allocated doses received and 2,404 doses actually drawn and injected into patients’ arms, continuing a remarkable 103% utilization rate. There were zero wasted doses either day over the weekend. The 2,404 drawn doses by the Beverly Hospital pharmacy staff was remarkable considering that one of the vials was delivered damaged to the clinic and had to be discarded. Even with the damaged vial, the pharmacy staff drew more than enough doses.

“Our pharmacy staff has been a remarkable secret weapon, unseen in a private room as they do their work, they have literally provided the lifeblood of this clinic since the beginning,” Sevigny said.

The successful session comes on the heels of Gov. Charlie Baker’s recent announcement that the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Vaccine Clinic will be allowed to continue in an expanded role as the first approved regional vaccination site under the state’s new guidelines.

“My husband and I both got our first doses, and all I can say is ‘wow,'” said Byfield resident Tracy Tullercash. “Kudos to whomever planned the event, volunteered at the event and made sure it all went smoothly. Helpful, knowledgeable, caring people everywhere we looked and went. Made what could have been a scary, chaotic, confusing event a pleasure. Their hard work did not go unnoticed.”

The collaborative plans to utilize additional sites including a possible drive-through clinic location at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation parking lot as weather improves. Locations in Groveland, Georgetown and West Newbury are also on standby.

“We have learned that we can grow this clinic further if we have the doses. We have the staff and volunteers to expand,” Chief Berkenbush said. “We greatly appreciate the support and confidence of Governor Baker and the Department of Public Health in allowing this locally-driven operation to continue.”

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury and will also offer open appointments on the state’s vaccination website.

Those eligible for a vaccination can visit mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine and residents can also search for a vaccination location near them by entering their zip code here. As always, seniors in the nine communities should contact their local council on aging for appointment assistance.

JGPR is providing communications services to this effort on a pro bono basis.

###

Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Give Briefing on COVID-19 Response Strategies

March 19, 2020 by John Guilfoil

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

First Responders Highlight Methods to Protect Themselves, the Public

EXETER — Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District is issuing a video briefing on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response strategies their departments are following to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus to their staff and the public.

The District includes 37 area New Hampshire Fire Departments, six Massachusetts Fire Departments and four Maine Fire Departments.

“Ensuring the continued health of our staff is critical, and if we do experience an increased number of medical calls due to this pandemic, we have prepared by putting a series of preventative procedures in place to preserve the health of our staff and the public,” said Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District President and Epping Fire Chief Don DeAngelis.

Dispatchers have already begun asking those calling for medical assistance if they are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, including fever, difficulty breathing or a cough. When first responders arrive to a call involving an individual who may have the virus, they are additionally practicing social distancing when possible and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including goggles, masks, gloves and gowns. Patients who have the virus will also be given a mask to prevent others from contracting the virus.

Additionally, ambulances are being disinfected with an electrostatic fog machine between each use to reduce risk of exposure to both first responders and patients.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days of exposure. The DPH reports that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia in severe cases.

Local, state and federal health officials are also encouraging residents to take the following precautions to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu and COVID-19, from spreading:

Wash hands frequently, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
When sick yourself, stay home to protect others and practice social distancing.
Always cover your cough or sneeze.

Anyone who is experiencing a fever and respiratory illness and is concerned they have either come into contact with the virus or traveled to an affected country within the last 14 days is advised to contact their primary health care provider.

For more information, visit the CDC’s website by clicking here.

###

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Temporarily Suspend Walk-in Services

March 15, 2020 by John Guilfoil

WEST NEWBURY — Fire Chief Michael Dwyer and Police Chief Jeffrey Durand report that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments are suspending walk-in services temporarily to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, to staff and the public.

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic this week by the World Health Organization and has moved Governor Charlie Baker to declare a State of Emergency in Massachusetts and President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency.

Effective immediately and until further notice, the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments at 401 Main St. are suspending walk-in, non emergency services, and instead are asking residents to contact the police and fire business lines or send an e-mail for non-emergencies.

West Newbury Police Department business line: 978-363-1212.
West Newbury Fire Department business line: 978-363-1111.
Residents looking to fill out a burning permit can do so by clicking here.
Member of the public can also submit public records requests, LTC renewals and first-time applications by emailing police@westnewburysafety.org.
The West Newbury Fire Department can also be reached by email at fire@westnewburysafety.org.

Residents are additionally reminded to call 911 in an emergency, and police, firefighters and EMS will respond to various emergency situations as they normally would.

“Reducing the number of people visiting the police and fire stations in person is a simple step we can take to prevent unnecessary risk of exposure to this virus,” Fire Chief Dwyer said. “We thank residents for your understanding, cooperation and patience as we all continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.”

This is a temporary measure. Officials said they do not know how long these restrictions will be in place.

“It’s important for us all to do what we can to help prevent the spread of this virus, and we thank residents for their understanding as we implement this measure and proceed with social distancing when possible,” Police Chief Durand said. “We also encourage residents to continue washing their hands frequently and thoroughly, stay home when sick, cover your cough and, if you believe you may have this virus, contact your health care provider.”

First responders throughout the nation are practicing social distancing when responding to emergency calls. When responding to a call for service, first responders will ask residents to do the same, which entails keeping separated by approximately 6 feet if possible.

Police and firefighters have also been instructed not to shake hands or make any other personal contact unless absolutely necessary (or necessary during a life-threatening emergency or medical emergency) to avoid transmitting the virus.

The West Newbury Police and Fire Departments are on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These temporary measures will be reviewed on a continuous basis. When changes are necessary, they will be communicated to the public.

###