Over the weekend, the City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) administered COVID-19 vaccines to 2,570 teachers, school staff, child care providers, youth camp staff, and individuals 50 years of age and older in the Greater Nashua Region. This was conducted through a two-day closed Point of Dispensing (POD) held at Fidelity Investments in Merrimack, NH. PODs are community locations where agencies dispense and administer medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, to the public during a public health emergency.
“I am continually in awe of the dedication that our community has shown in support of our COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This type of response truly takes a village, and Greater Nashua has stepped up to the challenge. Nashua DPHCS staff, school/SAU employees, and community volunteers have put not only their time, but their heart and souls into making sure that these clinics are a success,” said Patty Crooker, Public Health Network Services Coordinator at the City of Nashua DPHCS, Greater Nashua Public Health Network. “Fidelity’s planning team has been amazing to work with, as were their staff that volunteered during the event. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them moving forward.”
We would like to extend our utmost gratitude to Fidelity Investments for their support in the planning and implementation of this clinic. Fidelity Investments provided not only the opportunity and inspiration for this vaccination clinic, but also the incredible venue - a 10,000 plus square foot tent capable of housing the entire clinic, as well as designated space for staging supplies, hosting a command center, and a break room for clinic staff, complete with heating, lighting, restrooms, and other amenities. They also provided much-needed volunteers. Fidelity’s planning team was involved in every step of bringing the idea of this clinic to reality and was dedicated to supporting the process in every way they could.
We would also like to thank the Merrimack Police Department, Merrimack Fire Department, Litchfield Police Department, City of Nashua Department of Public Works, and all of our staff and volunteers for their outstanding support and assistance with the operations of this clinic.
"This event really gets to the core of what Fidelity Investments is all about. We help people through many of the different stages of life and this pandemic is one stage that I think we all want to get behind us as soon as possible. It is an honor to support this awesome operation," said Joseph Murray, Vice President of Public Affairs at Fidelity Investments. "Fidelity believes in the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and that having as many people as possible vaccinated is the best path to maximize safety for our associates and our communities."
Vaccinating school staff, teachers, child care providers, and youth camp staff is one layer we can use to protect our community by mitigating the spread and effects of COVID-19. All individuals at this clinic were vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and will receive their second dose at the same location in four weeks.
“We are very grateful to our colleagues at public health for making the vaccine clinic happen for our employees this weekend,” said Garth J. McKinney, Superintendent of the Nashua School District. “And I can’t thank Bobbie D. Bagley and her team enough for their great counsel over the course of the pandemic. The clinic is a tangible sign that a return to normalcy will happen sooner rather than later for us, our students and their families. Thank you, public health!”
In New Hampshire, registration to receive a COVID-19 vaccine opens to all residents 16 years of age and older on Friday, April 2nd. Residents can register and schedule an appointment online at www.vaccines.nh.gov or by calling 2-1-1. We are encouraging all of our community members to be patient as they schedule an appointment. The Nashua DPHCS will notify the public of additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Greater Nashua residents, including clinics at Fidelity Investments.
After vaccination, we want to remind our community that 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:
Stay home if you are sick, except to seek medical attention
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 poorly ventilated places
Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in between
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Nashua DPHCS website at nashuanh.gov/1332/COVID-19 or call the Nashua COVID-19 Hotline at 603-589-3456.
