Vaccines will be available to Block Island’s children the week of November 12. Rhode Island’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), which has been assisting the Medical Center and Rescue Squad with Covid testing and vaccinations throughout the pandemic, has announced that Pfizer vaccines will soon be available for children ages five through 11. DMAT will bring the vaccines to the island November 12-19, and the school will coordinate with parents to get the kids vaccinated, much as it has done with the high school students. Co-Director of Emergency management Bill McCombe said that 30 students of the 75 eligible were already signed up.
The Moderna vaccine has been approved by the FDA for booster shots. The Moderna booster is a half dose, which should ease side effects associated with the vaccines. Director of the Block Island Medical Center Dr. Tom Warcup said the recommendation is that individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine are able to receive either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as a booster. Individuals over 65 and those with underlying health conditions can sign up at Vaccinateri.org.The Medical Center is running weekly flu shot clinics, and Dr. Warcup reports he has no concerns with
