A Closer Look At Rhode Island's Coronavirus Vaccination Effort

Cranston RI

14 January, 2021

1:42 PM

Description

CRANSTON, RI — Across Rhode Island, thousands of coronavirus vaccines are administered each day. The Rhode Island National Guard, which has been a key part of the state's pandemic response since the start, set up a vaccination center in the large building complex that's also home to one of the state's two coronavirus field hospitals. The state is in the first phase of vaccine distribution, focused on the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders. This group includes frontline health care workers, nursing home residents and others deemed to be at the highest risk. Thursday morning, Patch and other members of the media were offered a look into the vaccination process, from symptom checking to recovery. Here's a look at what Rhode Islanders can expect when it's their turn to get the vaccine, viewed through the experience of Technical Sergeant Deirdre Salvas. Step 1: Check-in Anyone arriving at the site must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entry. This includes a temperature check, as. well as a series of questions about the person's potential exposure to the virus in the past two weeks. In this area, paperwork is completed and the person receives an information packet about the Moderna vaccine, which is used at this site. Salvas is screened for COVID-19 symptoms with a temperature check and questions. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) Step 2: Preparation The next step is getting ready to receive the vaccine. Civilians check in at tables at the entrance to the vaccination area, which is a large office-type space that has been sectioned off for its current use. There, a member of the National Guard will check the person's photo ID and confirm their appointment. The check-in area for civilians. (Rachel Nunes/Patch)After their identity is confirmed, the person will move to another table, where they have the opportunity to speak with a medical professional about any questions or concerns about the vaccine. The next step for members of the National Guard is at another booth, where their information is input into the military health record system. For civilians, information is collected at this step, but it is not retained by the National Guard. All information collected is stored and owned by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Salvas enters her information into the military health database. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) Step 3: Vaccination Once all information has been collected, it's time to receive the vaccination. It's a quick process: the person rolls up their sleeve, their upper arm is cleaned by a trained medic, and then the shot is given. In all, the process took less than a minute. "It hurt less than getting a flu shot," Salvas said of the experience. Salvas receives her Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) Step 4: Recovery After the vaccine has been administered, the person must sit in the recovery area for 15 minutes, to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions. In the Cranston site, dozens of chairs are set up, six feet apart on all sides, to allow a large volume of people to safely be in the recovery area at a time. Trained medics are on hand in this area, as well, monitoring all patients in case someone has a reaction. Once the 15 minutes have passed, the process is complete for the day. Civilians who schedule their appointment through their employer receive an automatically scheduled appointment for their vaccine, two weeks later. The process is very similar for National Guard members, who schedule their second appointment as they leave. Trained medics are on hand in the recovery area in case of an adverse reaction (Rachel Nunes/Patch) The recovery area, with chairs safely distanced. (Rachel Nunes/Patch)Salvas said it was important to her to get vaccinated after losing both a member of her family and a close friend to COVID-19 over the holidays. "I feel excited, the decision to get vaccinated is a personal one to me," she said. "I wanted to be a part of the solution. ... If you have concerns about the vaccine, there are plenty of resources ... ask the questions." So far, a little under 700 Rhode Island National Guard members have been vaccinated, and the plans are to expand that effort to all members, following the vaccine distribution plans from the Rhode Island Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Captain Amanda Ramirez, a member of the vaccine site's operation team and a nurse practitioner in the "real world," said it's been an honor to be involved in the state's pandemic response effort. "Since the beginning of COVID, the National Guard has been a big part of the response ... [We have] an excellent relationship with RIDOH," Ramirez said. "It's been a really rewarding experience." Coronavirus in Rhode Island: Read more RI Coronavirus Vaccinations: Not Enough Supply To Meet DemandRhode Island Ramps Up Asymptomatic Coronavirus Testing In SchoolsRI Coronavirus Regulations To 'Stay The Course' For Another MonthRI Surpasses 100K Coronavirus Cases, Weekly Numbers Climb