Allen County’s vaccination clinic for those age 85 and older is on schedule as planned beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Community Building in Riverside Park.
Health department staff and dozens of volunteers are ready to conduct a well-choreographed clinic helped by previous experience in two area counties in recent weeks.
Temperatures are expected to warm to the low-20s by Thursday, though more snow was expected today.
Look for updates online, on the websites of the Register and Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, as well as social media and KIKS radio, in case anything changes.
A clinic originally scheduled for today in Woodson County was pushed back to Feb. 24 at the Fairgrounds Community Building, because of the weather conditions.
ORGANIZING the clinics required a major volunteer effort. About 25 local volunteers are expected to be on hand Thursday to assist the health department, Susan Belt, regional preparedness coordinator with the SEKMCHD, said.
In addition to those recruited by the health department, Thrive Allen County is offering transportation to take people from their homes to the clinic.
Much of the focus will be on the parking lot, where attendees will remain in their vehicles until it’s time to come inside.
“We’re working it so no one has to get out of their car until it’s time to come inside,” Belt said. “We don’t want anyone standing in line.”
Belt provided a rough outline of what to expect when you arrive.
First, vehicles should not line up any earlier than 9:30 a.m., in order to allow the volunteers to arrive. Follow the signs to the parking lot near the community building.
When your time arrives, a volunteer will escort you from a vehicle to the community building. Wheelchairs will be provided for those who need additional assistance.
Then, you’ll go through a medical screening, where you’ll be asked questions about potential exposure to COVID-19 and any relevant medical history.
Next is a registration station to fill out paperwork. Belt recommends you do this ahead of time. Forms can be downloaded at sekmchd.com, or picked up at the Allen County Health Department, Iola Recreation Department, G&W Foods and Iola Public Library.
“Hopefully everyone will have most of it filled out in advance. That will really reduce the waiting time,” Belt said.
Then it’s time for the vaccine itself. Health department staff will administer the shots, with staff from other counties assisting. No volunteers will give shots.
