Covid Progress in 2021 in Gardner MA and Massachusetts
Even though challenges remain and vigilance is still important, we’ve made substantial progress with Covid 19 in the Greater Gardner MA area and Massachusetts.
We reviewed Gardner City Hall’s Facebook postings from 2021 on vaccines to see what it revealed. What we discovered is an almost herculean effort to get out the vaccines and inform the public with as much information as possible. The result is arguably that many lives were saved.
The evidence: A cumulative report on Covid 19 cases in fully vaccinated individuals showing 2.7% of vaccinated individuals have gotten Covid, .07% have been hospitalized, and only .02% of cases among vaxed people resulted in death.
The verdict: Evidence shows getting the vaccine saved the lives of many people because the percentage of unvaxed people getting covid and of unvaxed people dying has been much higher. Here’s the report. CLICK HERE.
Chronicle of a Year with Covid – Here’s a copy of all of the postings from City Hall
To all those who contributed in any way towards the following efforts, we all owe a debt of gratitude. So, Thank You!
From the Publisher – Sometimes you have to show all the evidence to make a point. The following chronicles a huge effort by a number of dedicated people to save lives by getting people vaccinated. It is in the enormity of the effort and in the realization of just how much time it took in the lives of so many that we can truly appreciate how wonderful an effort it was. Let us hope 2022 is a better year than last for all of us.
2021 Covid Vaccine updates from the City of Gardner MA
January 22 ·
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is preparing for the safe, equitable, and effective delivery of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. The state’s planning is based on guidance from the CDC and the MA COVID-19 Advisory Group. It includes logistics, distribution, staff recruitment, and more. The City of Gardner is dedicated to providing you with the most up to date information regarding the availability of the vaccine. Click here for information
https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronav…/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
https://www.heywood.org/…/covi…/covid19-vaccine-guidance
January 31
Reminder that there will be one-on-one information sessions at the Council on Aging Monday through Thursday this week from 9am to 3:30pm for all those who have not yet scheduled appointments for themselves.
Staff will show those who visit where to see when appointments become available, how to sign up for the City’s CodeRED system to receive notifications when registration opens up, who to call to book an appointment if you do not have access to a computer, and answer any questions on that may come up as to what to do when you arrive at the vaccination site.
January 31
PHASE 2 VACCINE UPDATE:
Heywood Healthcare, Gardner City Hall, Gardner Health Department, Gardner MA, and the Community Volunteer Vaccination Team will be hosting a vaccination clinic for those ages 75 and older this Thursday, February 4th at the Polish American Citizens Club (PACC). Register using the link below.
Date: Thursday, February 4th, 2021
Time: 8:00am – 1:00pm EST
Location: GARDNER POLISH AMERICAN CITIZENS CLUB
171 Kendall Pond Rd W, Gardner, MA 01440
February 1
From Mayor Michael J Nicholson regarding Vaccine registration:
I understand that many residents who are eligible for the vaccine are confused and/or frustrated as to how to sign up for a vaccination appointment. Furthermore, I understand that many in the community who fall into the 75+ category may not have access to a computer to register for an appointment.
My office, along with the Board of Health and Heywood Hospital, are working with our Emergency Management Department to set up a City specific call center and hotline for residents who do not have computer access. The operators at this call center will be able to register those individuals over the phone. This number is not available yet, but once it is we will let people know.
We expect more appointment slots to be available in the near future. Once the appointments open up we will notify everyone as best we can. However, we ask that you please be patient throughout this process. Everyone who is eligible and wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated as we receive the shipment of the vaccines from the state and federal governments.
February 5
REGISTRATION FOR COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS for PHASE 1 and 75+ will be available on Monday, February 8th at 11am. The clinic will be held on Thursday, February 11th beginning at 8am at the Polish American Citizens Club. Those wishing to register may do so online at www.gardner-ma.gov/1055/covid-19 or by calling the City’s registration call center on Monday at 11. DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 to register for an appointment. Please watch the video to learn the plan for our vaccination events. CodeRED Call will go out to residents tomorrow morning.
A video tutorial on how to register can be found here. Please review the video to learn what to do when registrations open on February 8th:
While we wait for the next round of vaccines to become available, Mayor Nicholson has created a step- by – step tutorial video to help show individuals how to register for a COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment in Gardner once appointments become available. This includes information on how to register online or through our call center.
Once vaccination appointments become available, we will notify the public in as many ways possible
February 7
Registration for this week’s round of COVID Vaccines opens tomorrow at 11am. Be sure to watch Mayor Nicholson’s video so you know how to register and what to do once 11am happens tomorrow. Appointments are open to anyone who was eligible in Phase 1 and those 75 and older
February 10
The Montachusett Public Health Network is hosting the second dose vaccination clinic for our first responders today at Gardner City Hall. 180 doses of the vaccine being given out today at this clinic
February 12
Here is the direct link to register for a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment for those in Phase 1 and those 75 and older. Appointments are still available.
Please note caregivers can only be vaccinated at one of the state’s mass vaccination site now.
https://gardnervaccinations.as.me/schedule.php
February 15
The City’s COVID Vaccine Call Center will be closed today in observance of President’s Day. The Call Center will be open tomorrow (Tuesday, February 16th) instead. Heywood Hospital
February 17
Another 700+ doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine given out today at the City of Gardner- Heywood Hospital regional clinic at the Polish American Citizens Club. Thank you to all involved
February 19
Online appointments for the COVID vaccine filled in 4 minutes. There are still appointments available at the call center. Please remember that hundreds of people are all calling at the same time so if you do not get in right away. The phone number for the call center is 978-958-9057.
February 19
Final number of calls received by the call center was 9,113 between 10 & 2.
This is 9 times more than the doses we have available. If you did not get an appointment today, please be patient. We will continue to hold clinics as doses arrive. Our goal is to have clinics every Tuesday and Thursday, depending on vaccine availability.
We are also required to accept anyone from anywhere in the State and are not allowed to limit who can or cannot register for our clinics.
February 21
REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, FEB 22 AT 10AM
Registration for the Thursday, February 25 vaccination clinic will open tomorrow, Monday, February 22 at 10am.
Please see the following message from Mayor Nicholson regarding the steps the City is taking regarding registrations for vaccinations.
What to Expect When You Arrive For Your Appointment:
February 24
845 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered at our clinic yesterday. Thank you to Heywood Hospital, the nursing students from Mount Wachusett Community College and everyone else helping make these clinics possible
February 26
Today’s report from the Gardner COVID Vaccine Registration Call Center – total call volume 5701, average wait 02:27
March 1
Vaccination Clinics for first dose shots at the Polish American Citizens Club with Heywood Hospital will take place on TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY this week. THURSDAY will have a clinic for those prescheduled to receive their second dose of the vaccine.
Registration for WEDNESDAY’S clinic opens today at 10am online and at the City’s call center – 978-958-9057
https://gardnervaccinations.as.me/schedule.php
March 2
902 vaccines administered at the clinic today at the Polish American Citizens Club with the City and Heywood Hospital thank you to all involved!
March 9
Clinic: Wednesday,- March 10th, Gardner PACC
The clinic scheduled for tomorrow, March 10th will take place from 1 pm – 5 pm, and is anticipated to accommodate over 900 registrants. We are anticipating the arrival of the vaccine by noon. **Please check websites frequently for updates and exercise patience as we work to accommodate this situation.
March 10
Vaccine Appointment Information:
Due to an interruption in our anticipated vaccine allotment, the Call Center and online registration is currently closed.
Clinic: Wednesday, March 10th, Gardner PACC
The clinic scheduled for tomorrow, March 10th will take place from 1 pm – 5 pm, and is anticipated to accommodate over 900 registrants. We are anticipating the arrival of the vaccine by noon.
**Please check websites frequently for
updates and exercise patience as we work to accommodate this situation.
March 11
Due to an interruption in the anticipated vaccine allotment delivery from the Commonwealth, the Call Center and Online Registration will be closed for the next couple of weeks, to ensure adequate supply of all second dose appointments that have already been registered.
Please visit Heywood.org or gardner-ma.gov websites regularly for updates.
March 17
Last Saturday, almost 600 teachers, school staff, and educators were vaccinated at the Polish American Citizens Club at the City’s clinic done in partnership with Heywood Hospital. Thank you to all involved
April 9
The appointments will be on Tuesday, April 13th. Registration for the next PACC vaccine clinic will be open Friday, April 9 @10 a.m. for a clinic on 4/13
April 12
Registration for the next PACC vaccine clinic will open Monday April 12@10am for a clinic on 4/14
April 13
Johnson and Johnson Vaccines will temporarily not be given at the Gardner/Heywood Clinic at the PACC. Those with appointments scheduled for today will receive Pfizer, unless the appointment is canceled by the patient. The Gardner Homebound Vaccine Program will be delayed until further information is obtained by public health officials at the State and Federal level.
April 28
Preregistration for homebound individuals will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. today. To preregister call 978-958-9057. Individuals who wish to receive a vaccine at home will be pre-screened to ensure that they meet the state’s requirements for this service. Appointments will be coordinated with the Gardner Fire Dept. and Wood’s Ambulance. The vaccine currently being offered is Johnson & Johnson. For further information visit https://www.mass.gov/…/covid-19-homebound-vaccination…
April 30
Registration for Covid vaccines will be held tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 2021.
The call center is the only way to register and operators will begin answering calls at 10:00 a.m.*
The vaccine currently being offered is Pfizer.
Call Center # 978-958-9057
*Please note that the heaviest call volume is at 10:00 a.m. If you are unable to get through, try calling back around 11:30 a.m.
May 5
Call center opens at 10 a.m.
In-home vaccinations are available for homebound people who are not able to leave their home to get to a vaccination site, even with assistance. For this service, you must be a Gardner resident and either:
*Have considerable difficulty and/or require significant support to leave the home for medical appointments.
*Require ambulance or two-person assistance to leave the home.
*Are not able to leave the home for medical appointments under normal circumstances.
Please call the Gardner Vaccination Call Center on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm if you feel that you may qualify for an at-home vaccination (P) 978-958-9057
May 7
Registration for Covid vaccines will be held on Friday, May 7th. The call center is the only way to register and operators will begin answering at 10:00 a.m.* Clinic to be held Tuesday May 11th.
You may also call the call center Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 978-958-9057
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 11th for the Pfizer vaccine
Wednesday May 12th for the Pfizer vaccine
Thursday May 13th for the Pfizer vaccine
Saturday May 15th for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Call Center # 978-958-9057
*Please note that many times the heaviest call volume is at 10:00 a.m. If you are unable to get through, try calling back around 11:30 a.m.
May 10
Registration for COVID vaccines will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, May 10, 12 & 14th. Operators will begin answering at 10:00 a.m.*
978-958-9057
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 11th for the Pfizer vaccine
Wednesday May 12th for the Pfizer vaccine
Thursday May 13th for the Pfizer vaccine
Saturday May 15th for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
*Please note that many times the heaviest call volume is at 10:00 a.m. If you are unable to get through, try calling back around 11:30 a.m.
https://www.gardner-ma.gov/1055/COVID-19
May 12
The City of Gardner/ Heywood Hospital Vaccine Clinic at the Polish American Citizens Club is now accepting walk-in appointments for anyone ages 16+
(We are still awaiting final approval for 12 and older)
Heywood Healthcare / City of Gardner Vaccine Clinic
Now Accepting Walk-Ins
Pfizer Vaccine Wednesday, May 12th, 12:30 – 3:00 pm
Pfizer Vaccine Thursday, May 13th, 12:30 – 3:00 pm
Johnson & Johnson, Saturday, May 15th, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Gardner Polish American Citizens Club. 171 Kendall Pond Rd. W., Gardner. (Currently Ages 16 +)
May 12
Registration for Covid vaccines will be held on Friday, May 14th. Operators will begin answering at 10:00 a.m.* 978-958-9057 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please be advised that the CDC has indicated that children 12 and over are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and parents or guardians can register them for this clinic.
May 13
There are still walk-ins available today for Pfizer (age 12+) at the PACC from noon – 3:30pm. There are Johnson appointments (18+ only) for this Saturday and walk-ins from 10am – noon .
For next week, we have Tuesday noon- 4pm and Wednesday 10:15am – 3:45pm. These times are available from the call center on Friday, from the website today or walk-ins also. Note we are starting later and staying open later to accommodate middle and high school students.
978-958-9057
May 21
Thursday May 20th 8am – Noon Pfizer
Friday May 21st 5:00pm – 7:30pm Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer
Wednesday May 26th 8:00am – Noon and 3:00pm – 6:45pm Pfizer
Thursday May 27th 8:00am – 12:30pm Pfizer
Walk-ins are available at all times above or you can reserve at the link below.
https://gardnervaccinations.as.me/schedule.php
June 4
Heywood Hospital and the City have been notified that some individuals have received bills for their COVID-19 Vaccine doses. This should not happen and bills should be disregarded.
Please see the notice below from Heywood Hospital
September 12
Join us this Wednesday at 6pm at Gardner City Hall as we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month! There will be music, food provided by Taco Rey Coliman , and Community Health Connections will be offering a small, walk-in vaccine clinic for anyone wishing to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
September 14
There will be a first dose vaccine clinic at this week’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Please note that this is a first dose clinic and not a booster shot clinic, for information on booster shots please contact your primary care physician
October 5
Gardner Senior Center Flu Vaccine Clinic and Covid Vaccine Clinic Weds. October 20, 2021 12pm to 3:30pm and at Community Health Connections 9am to 2:45pm
Now, that was an effort! Thank you to all!