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Norwell nursing home helps vaccinate firefighters

The Patriot Ledger - 1/11/2021

NORWELL — Most of the Norwell Fire Department members were vaccinated against the coronavirus last week after the Royal Norwell nursing home hosted a clinic for their residents, staff and many of those who interact with them, including the fire department.

Executive Director Sam Mamary said he started ordering vaccines for staff and residents in September and his goal was to get as many people who regularly come into the building vaccinated. The fire department, which is also Norwell's emergency ambulance service, immediately came to mind.

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"I see more of them than a lot of our per diem staff," he said. "I recognize them as people who are also providing care to our residents."

The firefighters know many of the residents very well.

"It was a no-brainer to get them involved," he said.

Mamary said he did not think his offer of vaccinations was something to be thanked for.

"I wanted it to happen because our safety is our primary concern," he said.

Mamary said all but two patients were vaccinated along with most of his staff.

"There were a handful of people who, for religious reasons, declined the vaccine, but that was something we anticipated as we administer the flu shot to staff every year and there were a few people where that wasn't going to be a choice they were making," he said.

In all, 140 people were vaccinated, he said.

Fire Chief Jeff Simpson said none of his staff experienced any ill effects from the vaccine and 99 percent chose to be vaccinated.

"Just recently, 50 percent were on the sidelines after a member tested positive and they were all close contacts, so it really put us in a bad spot," he said.

A handful of other fire department members were not able to get the vaccine because they could not make it that day.

"They'll get vaccinated when they roll out the vaccines to first responders next week," he said.

More: Gov. Baker says first responder vaccinations to start next week

Getting everyone vaccinated was a collaboration between the union and the nursing home. In the spring, the fire department provided the nursing home with personal protective equipment.

"It's a strong, cooperative relationship that led to this opportunity," Simpson said.

Simpson said it was a "monumental" task to get the cooperation of the union, the nursing home and the individuals getting vaccinated in such a short period of time.

Although he is afraid of needles, Simpson said he still got the vaccine.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," he said.

In a Facebook post on Jan. 5, Hull Board of Health officials said they have been approved to receive the vaccine and are scheduled to vaccinate members of the fire and police department as well as first responders this week.

"We do not know when we will receive the next shipment of vaccine but will make every effort to keep our residents posted of clinics and information," they said.

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Reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite can be reached at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Norwell nursing home helps vaccinate firefighters

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