Vaccine Clinic Boosts Sense of Community in an Isolating Time
Jasmin Huila, Community Outreach Coordinator at MCMC speaks with CCCNews in front of La Michoacana while covid-19 vaccine clinic attendees fill out their pre-booster questionnaires in the background. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Column
By Cole Goodwin
The free Covid-19 vaccine clinic in front of La Michoacana in The Dalles on Kelly Avenue was hopping with happy patients today, Sept. 30.
The vibe at the clinic was very fun, friendly, and upbeat compared to a typical hospital setting.
A mixture of English and Spanish speakers could be seen smiling, laughing and connecting together in front of the store while they waited in the shade of a pop up tent for their post shot wait times to be over.
“That was the most fun shot I’ve had in a while,” said Phil Brady, Wasco County Commissioner who got boosted at the clinic this afternoon.
Phil Brady outside of the pop-up vaccine clinic on September 30th, 2022. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
A steady flow of people attended the clinic this afternoon and many were seeking the new and updated bivalent booster vaccine.
North Central Public Health said that local demand for the new booster is high.
The updated booster adds Omicron-specific spike protein components to the original vaccine composition.
“This helps restore waning protection against COVID-19 by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading,” said North Central Public Health District officials. “The Pfizer booster is available for those 12 and older and the Moderna booster for those 18 and older.”
Allan Peterson, just moments before he began telling a story about the history of the La Michoacana building to clinic staff and attendees. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
But, perhaps, even more interesting than people attending to just their physical and mental health by getting a booster was that attendees also seemed to be attending to their emotional and social health through positive social interaction with their fellow community members.
Maybe there’s just something about getting vaccinated and boosted while sitting on the sidewalk in front of a popular local market on a warm fall day that puts people in a good mood.
Or maybe it was the fact that one of the clinicians administering shots today must have the steadiest hands and lightest touch this reporter has ever seen. I mean, to be honest, I am pretty afraid of needles, and, yet, I didn’t even feel it when I got my booster this time, and I can’t say that about my previous shots.
Or maybe after the long isolation of the pandemic people are finally ready to connect again. Or, you know, maybe, it was just one magical moment in time that has now passed.
Who knows?
In any case, it was the most upbeat group of people I have seen while visiting a vaccine clinic before, and for that pleasant surprise, I’m very grateful.
Upcoming covid-19 vaccine clinic dates
Jasmin Huila, Community Outreach Coordinator at MCMC handing out goodie bags full of Lysol and Clorox wipes, masks, covid-19 at home test kits, antiperspirant, sunscreen, lip balm, and cooling towels to clinic attendees. The goodie bags were made possible through an MCMC partnership with Protect Oregon Farm Workers. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Upcoming covid-19 vaccine clinic dates at 523. E 3rd. St, The Dalles are as follows:
Oct 13th-15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November 3rd-5th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November 17th-19th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 15th-17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No appointment or ID is needed although those seeking boosters of vaccines should be sure to bring their vaccine card with them if they have one.
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