registrations. People who tried to ….

registrations. People who tried to enter without an appointment were turned away.

OptumCare and Care Ambulance worked together to facilitate what amounted to a flu clinic on steroids.

People could sit for their appointments under a canopy for shade, and then were called in to Clubhouse 6, where they were settled at a station to be vaccinated.

They were able to stay at the same table, some for up to a halfhour depending on his or her risk of having a possible adverse reaction. This way, residents didn’t have to move around and find new seating.

After the shots were administered, residents were given appointments for the second shot in three weeks.

Care Ambulance personnel administered the shots because Care procured the vaccine in partnership with OptumCare, according to Michael Gorman, CEO of Care Ambulance.

OptumCare provided nurses and doctors to observe residents for any side effects before release.

“We partnered with Optum to go after the most at-risk population,” said Gorman. “We want to see this community protected as soon as possible,” he said, noting that the complex nature of vaccine distribution makes for challenges.

Millions of doses must travel hundreds of miles from manufacturers to hospitals, doctor’s offices and pharmacies, which in turn must store, track and eventually get the vaccines to PODs all across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local health departments, coordinates this process.

The vaccine can only be stored for five days at regular refrigeration temperatures, so clinics must be quickly organized at a moment’s notice, he said, noting that all LWers will have a chance to get a shot in the near future.

“We are very excited for this fantastic opportunity,” said Nancy Boerner, M.D., chief medical officer, Monarch HealthCare and Optum Care Pacific West Region. “As we get more vaccine in the pipeline, it won’t be so erratic. We are dedicated to pushing this out to LW. People need to be patient and do all the right things because it’s going to happen.”

LW Weekly distributor Dan Pomeroy with Julie Milburn of Mutual 5, one of his 22 carriers, worked all weekend getting COVID-19 registration packets out to each LW unit. People will need those packets for future shot clinics, so hold on to them.