Vernon Booster Clinic Shows Off A New Vaccine Dynamic: Officials

VERNON, CT — A regional coronavirus booster shot clinic in Vernon Wednesday showed there is a new significance to the concept, health and municipal officials said.

It's threefold, said Michael Purcaro, Vernon's town administrator, emergency management director and former state Department of Public Health official.

"We're looking at a new variant, people want to spend time with family members for the holidays and there has been difficulty getting appointments," Purcaro said. "So local and regional clinics like this one help get the boosters to the people who need them and want to get them."

Wednesday's clinic was for booster shots only with walk-ins and appointments. In all, 500 vaccines were available, including 200 from the nationally recognized Vernon-Priority Urgent Care partnership and 300 the DPH transferred to Vernon's mobile vaccination unit from Yale-New Haven Hospital.

That's an example of how much easier it is to get people the vaccine, Purcaro said. He also gave state officials credit for streamlining what was a cumbersome appointment process early in the pandemic.

"It was clunky — at best — and it was tough to navigate, especially for the elderly. But now it's much easier to get an appointment," Purcaro said. "There are plenty of avenues to get the vaccine, people just needed to know where to go."

Amy Doyle, a physician's assistant at Priority Urgent Care In Ellington, said people have been eager to get booster shots.

"Everyone I'm seeing is excited to get the booster because they want to be around friends and family for the holidays," Doyle said.

Medically, Doyle said, the vaccine "saves lives."

She added, "It's very effective and people should consider it ... it definitely raises antibodies and reduces the chance for complications."

Purcaro himself had his booster hot Wednesday.

"Yes, the vaccine does save lives," he said. "And yes, clinics like this are important for getting the vaccine out to those who want it."