Urgent Need For Volunteers At Local COVID Vaccination Sites

As more COVID-19 vaccine is arriving in WNY, volunteers are needed to assist with distribution efforts. Vaccinate Western New York (VAXWNY), the local hub responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, is issuing a call for volunteers across all five WNY counties.

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WKBW-TV reports that volunteers are needed in medical and non-medical roles across the following five Western New York counties;  Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties.

“It takes many people to run a vaccine effort. It’s important that we have a large pool of qualified individuals in all five regions who can help ensure the time-sensitive task of administering the vaccine as well as being able to fill critical non-medical roles as well,” said Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Sr. Assoc. Dean for Health Policy, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo and Chair, Planning Group, Region 10 Vaccination Hub.

Who can vaccinate (according to the VAXWNY website) include...

• Physicians

• Physician Assistants

• Nurse practitioners

• Registered nurses

• Licensed practical nurses

• Licensed pharmacists with or without certification to administer immunizations

• Midwives

• Dentists

• Certain dental hygienists, podiatrists, EMTs and advanced EMTs

Anyone who is certified to administer intramuscular injections can sign up to become a vaccinator. There is also a priority need for volunteers who can help in nonmedical roles...

Including registering vaccine participants, observing participants for the required time after they receive their vaccination, and other clerical functions. Volunteers with a background in security are also needed to manage the flow of participants inside and outside the vaccine PODs.

You can visit the website here for eligibility information and register to volunteer.