The City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) vaccinated 66 individuals against COVID-19 at Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
“The New Hampshire Point-In-Time count provided us with an opportunity to reach out to individuals who experience housing insecurity. This was a great collaborative effort with the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter and our community partners that participated in the Point-In-Time count activities. We want to thank Alderman Thomas Lopez for his strong advocacy for this to happen at this time,“ stated Nashua DPHCS Director Bobbie D. Bagley. For more information about New Hampshire’s Point-In-Time count, visit bit.ly/2020NHPITC.
In New Hampshire, registration is open for residents who qualify under Phase 1B to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Residents in Phase 1B can register and schedule an appointment online at www.vaccines.nh.gov or by calling 2-1-1. This includes:
- People 65 years of age and older
- Medically vulnerable people under 65 who are at significantly higher risk with 2 or more conditions
- Family caregivers of medically vulnerable persons under 16 years old
- Residents and staff of residential facilities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Corrections officers and staff working in corrections facilities
- First responders and health workers not already vaccinated
Wednesday’s clinic was the first of a series of planned vaccination clinics utilizing New Hampshire’s Phase 1B Equity Allocation (bit.ly/NH1BEquityAllocation). “This clinic was a prime example of the Greater Nashua Public Health Network’s commitment to reaching individuals who are at significantly higher risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19,” stated Nashua DPHCS Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Michael Apollo. “Our mobile vaccination clinic strike teams will be critical to this effort in assisting those who may have difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines through traditional means,” Apollo stated.
Licensed healthcare professionals (RNs, MDs, DOs, paramedics, etc.) interested in serving as volunteer vaccinators at future clinics can sign up to participate on the Greater Nashua COVID-19 Team at www.NHResponds.org or email Michael Apollo at apollom@nashuanh.gov for more information.
The Nashua DPHCS assures our community that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, as determined by data from manufacturers and large clinical trials. “These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID-19,” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021: bit.ly/3coiM0Y). We are encouraging our community members to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when the vaccine becomes available to you.
Even with vaccination, it is important for everyone to continue to be vigilant and practice public health recommendations in order for us to end this pandemic and keep our residents healthy and safe. At this time, continue to practice the following:
- Cover your mouth and nose by wearing mask in public settings
- Stay at least six feet away from people who do not live in your household
- Avoid large crowds and poor ventilated places
- Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in between
For more information about COVID-19, visit the Nashua DPHCS website at nashuanh.gov/1332/COVID-19 or call the Nashua COVID-19 Hotline at 603-589-3456.
