Cast a vote, get a shot

By Jack Nicas

Some voters at Somerville High School Tuesday voted once for the presidential election and once
against the flu.

Through the first-ever Somerville "Vote & Vax" program, voters from Ward 3, Precinct 2 had the opportunity to vote and get a flu vaccination all in one shot. "It's kind of one-stop shopping," said Maureen Monagle, the Somerville public health nursing manager. "You vote and get your vaccine."

The Somerville Public Health department elected to participate in the program after being contacted by the national initiative, which was featured in 30 states on Election Day.

The department hoped to administer 350 vaccinations on Tuesday, Monagle said. That turnout would top the 254 vaccinated at the Council of aging on Friday.

"Hopefully we get the younger people," Monagle said. "But the more we can immunize, the happier we are."

Surpassing the department's 350-person goal would pose no problem, said city spokesman Tom Champion. "No one will be turned away," he said. "There will be adequate supplies." The department had 500 vaccinations on hand, Monagle said.

Vaccinations were free to all who showed up, Somerville resident or not. But individuals over 65 were asked to bring their Medicare or HMO cards because those programs agreed to reimburse the city.

Voters came in through the school's atrium and into the gymnasium to vote. But for those looking for the clinic, signs led down a hallway into a separate room. "We have to make very sure we're separate from the voting and that we make no political statements," Monagle said. "We're just there for the flu vaccine."

Voters were not required to get a flu shot and those getting a flu shot were not required to vote.

The city health department would like to expand the program next year, said Monagle, but the problem is staffing. With two full-time and one part-time public health nurses the department enlisted the help of Barbara Carney, school nurse at the Kennedy School, for Election Day.

The program was one of the city's 10 free flu shot clinics this season. The next clinic is Thursday at the Weston Manor at 11 a.m.