Dozens of Vernon 'Frontline' Staffers Get Virus Vaccine: Official

VERNON, CT — Dozens of "frontline" workers in Vernon have received the coronavirus vaccination, town officials said.

Town officials Monday said the plan was put in place in late December in partnership with Eastern Connecticut Health Network and Rockville General Hospital. The North Central Health District has since joined the promotion.

"We offered the vaccine to those on the front lines with the idea of starting vaccines as soon as they became available," said Lt. William Meier of the Vernon Police Department, who is among the town officials coordinate the municipal response the the pandemic.

The initial offerings were made to emergency staffers "who typically respond top medical calls," town officials said.

School nurses were also offered the vaccines, Meier said.

Dozens took the town up on its offer, he added.

"The vaccination is a key part of a multi-pronged strategy to respond to COVID-19," Meier said.

Once Gov. Ned Lamont releases his next phase of guidelines, the town will, "immediately start to offer the vaccine to those eligible," Meier added.

"We want to be very proactive and will be looking expand this program," Meier said.

Vernon has also taken an active role in offering testing for the virus.

Twice weekly COVID-19 testing is available in Vernon on Tuesdays and Thursdays:

On Tuesdays at St. Bernard Church drive-up service is offered from 9 to 10 a.m. and walk-up testing is offered from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

On Thursdays at the Vernon Senior Center, drive-up testing is offered from 9 to 11 a.m.

Insurance is accepted, but a co-pay or deductible may apply. People not able to pay will not be turned away, town officials said.