Manchester Road Race Offering 2 Vaccine Clinics Prior To Event

Manchester CT

28 September, 2021

3:12 PM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race Committee is sponsoring two walk-in coronavirus clinics during the weeks prior to the Thanksgiving Day run, race officials announced Tuesday. Race organizers are collaborating with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Griffin Hospital Community Outreach Mobile Vaccination Team to offer the vaccines. The clinics are slated for the Manchester High School cafeteria, 134 East Middle Turnpike, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Saturday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 6. The clinics are free, open to everyone, and will offer the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. First and second vaccinations, and Pfizer booster shots for those who qualify under current guidelines to receive them, will be available at the clinics. First-time vaccine recipients will receive a $20 gift certificate donated by Stop & Shop. Face masks must be worn at the clinics. Anyone age 12 or older is eligible for the vaccine. Those getting the shots do not have to be entered in the Manchester Road Race, or be a resident of Manchester, in order to be vaccinated. Although the vaccines will be administered free of charge, individuals are encouraged to bring their health insurance cards and a form of photo identification to the clinics. No one will be refused for lack of insurance or ID. MRR officials said that the three-week period between the clinic dates will "enable persons receiving the Pfizer vaccine to be fully immunized prior to the Thanksgiving Day Road Race." "We are strongly urging everyone who wants to run, watch, or volunteer at the race to get the shots and be fully vaccinated prior to Thanksgiving," said Dr. Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee. "These clinics are part of our effort, in consultation with the Town of Manchester and the State of Connecticut, to make this year's road race as safe and healthy as possible for everyone." Further information about the vaccines, their safety, and effectiveness can be found at the Griffin Hospital website (https://www.griffinhealth.org/Coronavirus-COVID19-Information/COVID-19-Vaccination). The 85th annual Manchester Road Race is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25). The 4.748-mile race on a loop course starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church. More details, and on-line registration are available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.