Coronavirus Vaccines Come To Famed Restaurant In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Vernon's mobile coronavirus vaccine unit turned to the local business community Thursday on yet another stop in its three-plus month tour of the area.

Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne introduced the initiative, dubbed "Getting Vax To Business" at one of Connecticut's most famed restaurants — Rein's Deli. The plan was to give 15 employees of Rein's their first doses, then head to Swiss Cleaners for 40 more and return to Rein's Monday. In the coming days, the focus would be on the rest of the business community, Champagne said.

Vernon, via the mobile unit, has already administered more than 11,000 vaccines since late January at houses of worship, senior centers, the regional homeless shelter and a trailer park for the elderly.

Champagne said it was time to make the transition to area businesses with the age eligibility expanding.

Among the 15 getting their shots at Rein's were staff members Emma Robinson and Katie Shebat. They were numbers 13 and 14 in line and were noticeably pacing back and forth while waiting. The 21-year-old Robinson and the 23-year-old Shebat are are best friends. The two are also deathly afraid of needles.

"I really want to get the shot, but I'm really nervous," Robinson said. Shebat then chimed in, "I do too, but I'm just a little baby."

Robinson went first and was squirming in her chair as Shebat held her hand. The ordeal was over quickly.

"I didn't realize it happened," she said, the jitters long gone.

The two then switched places.

"That was scary," Shebat said.

Then she caught herself.

"It was scary but not that bad," she said, a smile obvious even from behind her mask.

Robinson said the two decided to get the vaccination for safety reasons.

"I don't rally want to infect someone," she said. "And I want to be healthy."

That's exactly what Dr. Daksh Rampal wanted to hear. He is the owner of Priority Urgent Care in Ellington and has partnered with the town of Vernon to operate the mobile vaccination unit.

"It's astounding what we're doing here," he said. "We're going to change more lives. He said by offering more vaccines, he hopes "everyone can have a normal summer."

He continued, "Get the vaccine, It's safe. Summer is coming up and people want to get out. We want everyone to have a normal summer."

So businesses like Rein's are perfect candidates for the program, said Lt. William Meier of the Vernon Police department, the site commander for the mobile vaccine program.

"It makes sense to he here," Meier said. "We have young people working closely with older people and we want a healthy environment."

____

Businesses interested in the program can contact Vernon Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately at 860-870-3637.