Oxford community vaccinates thousands in recurring mass vaccination clinics
The Oxford community, led by Bartle’s Pharmacy, has been able to provide more than 6,000 vaccines thanks to a combined volunteer effort. (Photo by Zachary Meseck)
OXFORD – Through a combination of state and local efforts, thousands of individuals have received vaccinations right in the Village of Oxford.
According to Bartle’s Pharmacy owner Heather Bartle, the Oxford community has continued to work together to help vaccinate people throughout Chenango County with the mass vaccination clinics held at the Oxford Fire Department.
Bartle said as of Friday morning, the community has been able to provide 4,524 first doses and 2,381 second doses of vaccine, totaling 6,905 vaccines administered to individuals at the ongoing clinics.
She said a number of volunteers from all throughout Chenango County have been assisting with the mass vaccinations, and without their efforts the event wouldn’t be possible. She added that about 60 volunteers assisted with Friday’s mass vaccination event, with individuals from the Oxford Fire and Police Department on scene as well.
“Without having a bigger space to come to, people pitching in by volunteering, none of this would be possible,” said Bartle. “It really would not happen if it weren’t a community coming together to make it happen.”
“We’re doing this not only for Oxford, but also for the greater good.”
She said with the age restrictions being lowered this week, hopefully more people will take advantage and get vaccinated. She added that individuals are able to sign up directly through Bartle’s Pharmacy, through the Chenango County Department of Health, and potentially through Chenango Memorial Hospital as well.
“I’m hopeful more people will get vaccines, but the only difference for us is that we will continue to be 18 and above because the only vaccine approved down to 16 years of age is the Pfizer vaccine which we have just not been doing,” said Bartle. “65 and above had their opportunity to get vaccinated, now it’s only fair to open it up to people who are younger, because ultimately that group being vaccinated is still protecting older populations as well.”
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to hit a new target population.”
Oxford Fire Department Chief Ron Martin said the Oxford Fire Department will continue to support the mass vaccination clinics until it is no longer needed.
“Before today, we’ve had 780 hours invested into this program, and it doesn’t matter if it's 780 more or 7,080 more, we’ll keep going until they say we don’t have any more or people stop coming,” said Martin. “It makes everybody’s life easier, obviously we’ve seen the results of what has happened with COVID-19, we’ve lost two of our members, and that’s a big hit - it’s an emotional and physical hit.”
“If we can reduce our burden of having to go out into the community to have to transport someone affected by COVID, or to protect our own from COVID then that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Martin said with a population of approximately 5,500, Bartle’s and numerous volunteers have been able to vaccinate more than Oxford’s entire population. He said volunteer firefighters won’t stop until the job is done.
“If we can walk through fire, we can do anything,” he added.
According to Bartle’s Pharmacy owner Heather Bartle, the Oxford community has continued to work together to help vaccinate people throughout Chenango County with the mass vaccination clinics held at the Oxford Fire Department.
Bartle said as of Friday morning, the community has been able to provide 4,524 first doses and 2,381 second doses of vaccine, totaling 6,905 vaccines administered to individuals at the ongoing clinics.
She said a number of volunteers from all throughout Chenango County have been assisting with the mass vaccinations, and without their efforts the event wouldn’t be possible. She added that about 60 volunteers assisted with Friday’s mass vaccination event, with individuals from the Oxford Fire and Police Department on scene as well.
“Without having a bigger space to come to, people pitching in by volunteering, none of this would be possible,” said Bartle. “It really would not happen if it weren’t a community coming together to make it happen.”
“We’re doing this not only for Oxford, but also for the greater good.”
She said with the age restrictions being lowered this week, hopefully more people will take advantage and get vaccinated. She added that individuals are able to sign up directly through Bartle’s Pharmacy, through the Chenango County Department of Health, and potentially through Chenango Memorial Hospital as well.
“I’m hopeful more people will get vaccines, but the only difference for us is that we will continue to be 18 and above because the only vaccine approved down to 16 years of age is the Pfizer vaccine which we have just not been doing,” said Bartle. “65 and above had their opportunity to get vaccinated, now it’s only fair to open it up to people who are younger, because ultimately that group being vaccinated is still protecting older populations as well.”
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to hit a new target population.”
Oxford Fire Department Chief Ron Martin said the Oxford Fire Department will continue to support the mass vaccination clinics until it is no longer needed.
“Before today, we’ve had 780 hours invested into this program, and it doesn’t matter if it's 780 more or 7,080 more, we’ll keep going until they say we don’t have any more or people stop coming,” said Martin. “It makes everybody’s life easier, obviously we’ve seen the results of what has happened with COVID-19, we’ve lost two of our members, and that’s a big hit - it’s an emotional and physical hit.”
“If we can reduce our burden of having to go out into the community to have to transport someone affected by COVID, or to protect our own from COVID then that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Martin said with a population of approximately 5,500, Bartle’s and numerous volunteers have been able to vaccinate more than Oxford’s entire population. He said volunteer firefighters won’t stop until the job is done.
“If we can walk through fire, we can do anything,” he added.
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