Vernon Coronavirus Vaccination Program: 10,000 Shots And Counting

VERNON, CT — Vernon's roving, regional coronavirus vaccination program has reached about 10,000 arms so far and town officials said it's not stopping there, officials said.

The "virus response" program began taking shape nearly a year ago with regional testing stations and the shots haven been administered for about a month. On Wednesday, Willington became the latest stop on the tour, sponsored by a partnership between the town of Vernon and Ellington-based Priority Urgent Care. Stops have been at places like the Vernon Senior Center, American Legion Post 14 and houses of worship in the area.

That pattern will continue with an increased focus on the next phase of first shots and second doses for those who are due for them, according to Vernon Town administrator and Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro.

"Our primary focus is on protecting and promoting the health and safety of our residents, staff and their families, Purcaro said. "We will continue to implement innovative and creative solutions to meet the challenges we face now and in the future."

Vernon has received recognition for the efforts at the federal and state levels for the program.

Vernon officials Wednesday sent out a passionate open letter about the program:

On behalf of Mayor Dan Champagne and the Vernon Town Council, thank you to our cherished community volunteers and staff from the Town of Vernon, Vernon Public Schools, and our partner organizations for helping to save the lives of untold numbers of people through our nationally recognized vaccination program.

Since Mayor Champagne declared a public health and civil preparedness emergency on March 12th, 2020, our primary focus has been on protecting and promoting the health and safety of our residents, staff and their families.

The coronavirus does not distinguish between zip codes, and neither do we. Through strategic partnerships with neighboring communities, faith based organizations, congregate living facilities, food pantries, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Priority Urgent Care, Uber Health, North Central District Health Department, State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, and many more, we have been able to effectively break down barriers and reach our most vulnerable and at-risk residents.

The unity of effort we have demonstrated has become a model for other communities. Together, we will continue to implement innovative and creative solutions to meet the challenges we face now and in the future.

Vernon officials have also compiled a video highlighting "collective community efforts in the war against this virus."

Here it is: