R.I. cities roll out initial vaccination plans for the elderly

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) — As Phase 2 of Rhode Island’s vaccine distribution plan are announced, cities across the state are receiving initial doses of the vaccine to begin giving shots to the elderly.

In Cumberland, the Emergency Services Agency is rolling out their doses by picking which residents get that first round based on where they live.

“Since word got out, there’s a lot of interest,” John Pilakas, Chief of Cumberland EMS said.

Pilakas said Cumberland is unique in that they have a robust community health program. Inside their EMS center, they have a room full of supplies and COVID testing equipment. They also have a fridge stocked with non-COVID vaccines and are ready to accept the first 140 doses they were allotted next week.

“A few months ago we actually purchased our own ultra cold freezer in anticipating the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine,” Pilakas said. “So, we’re able to stow and maintain our own supply here.”

Chief Pilakas says they’ve had their distribution plan in place for months. They’ve already chosen six elderly apartment complexes in town and will give the first shots on Wednesday.

“A lot of these folks may not be able to get out to the larger clinics that will be operating and fall into the age group that is phase appropriate,” Pilakas said.

For those not on the list, Chief Pilakas says this:

“There will be more to follow. We’ll be very aggressive in getting vaccine out and to homebound individuals as well.”

In Warwick, it was a mad dash to get on the list. Mayor Picozzi opened sign ups for first come first serve and in less than an hour, the 390 slots were filled.

In Cranston, rather then first come first serve, the city is prioritizing by age, so the oldest resident will get the first shots.

The City will administer the initial 390 doses over a three day period beginning Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 1-3, 2021. Cranston’s designated regional vaccination center is located at the East Greenwich Swift Community Center, 121 Pierce Street, East Greenwich, RI.

There will be a pre-registration process to be administered by the City of Cranston. Residents interested in pre-registration are to call the Cranston Senior Services Center at (401) 780-6000 on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

In Newport and Middleton, the cities announced a regional COVID vaccination center to serve the eldery and eventually the public. It’ll open in February and until then, officials are vaccinating a small amount of residents.

Other cities like Cumberland are following in suit with the plans to open a large scale vaccine clinic in the future.

“Early on, yes, it’ll be larger scale public clinics,” Pilakas said. “Then vaccine supply will hopefully eventually make its way to provider practice offices,”

All city leaders say if you don’t make the first round of sign ups, don’t worry, there will be many more opportunities very soon. They expect to continually receive doses and open more appointments.