ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A team from the University of Rochester Medical Center is finding a way to get the COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of those who may find it difficult to get to a clinic. It’s happening with a mobile vaccination unit.
“I drive very carefully, eyes opened, scanning constantly. It's just such a unique feeling. I have struggled to find words to describe what it's like knowing that I have such precious cargo in my car. And I want to make sure I do everything in my power to get it there safely, in the bag, secured for the community," said Amanda Devine, a family nurse practitioner at UR Medicine’s Complex Care Center.
The precious cargo she is transporting is the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine. On these days, she is charged with safely delivering the vaccine to Hillside Children’s Center.
Devine delivers 140 doses of the Moderna vaccine, handing it off to other Complex Care Center employees to administer it.
URMC Complex Care Center Nurse Practitioner Kristine Reinhardt is one of the members of the giving the vaccine to Hillside’s residents and staff.
“Oh my gosh, it feels great feels like we're finally able to give back to these patients and give back to the community,” said Reinhardt.
Hillside is one of more than 220 community-based organizations in the nine-county region that the mobile vaccination unit is reaching.
“It’s just so nice to be able to give something back and bring the vaccine to them, and it's one less stress for the residents and it's one less stress for the staff that they don't have to go out,” said Devine.
“When I’m watching this vaccine clinic, I feel like there's hope, we see light at the end of the tunnel," said Maria Cristalli, Hillside Children’s Center president & CEO.
“Very convenient. I’m glad it’s done," said Hillside employee Laurie Holmes, after receiving her vaccine.
It's a team striving to get the vaccine to as many people as possible.
“Yeah, I feel like I should have like, baby on board, definitely precious cargo. But really cool to be a part of,” Devine said.