VENICE (WSNN) – Homebound residents are no longer the forgotten masses. A state pilot program has paramedics with the Venice Fire Rescue distributing COVID-19 vaccines to homebound residents.
“I wouldn’t have gone out because it might have killed me,” Venice Resident, George Davis said.
Davis is homebound and can’t go anywhere without oxygen.
“Just can’t walk very far; 10-15 feet and I’m very much out of breath.”
So, the state created a pilot program with Venice Fire Rescue paramedics to distribute vaccines to people like George.
“Currently we are the only city in the county that is doing this right now,” EMS Division Chief, Nathan McManus said.
The fire department received 180 Moderna vaccines from the state.
“We’re delivering 3 consecutive days up to 20 doses a day,” McManus said.
He says someone who simply doesn’t have a car, does not qualify.
“It’s used for people who are confined to their home due to an injury or illness,” McManus said.
George and his wife, Marian have been waiting for months.
“We were anxious to get it, so we would feel better about it,” Marian said. “And I wouldn’t be bringing things to him and so forth.”
“I’m just glad we’re getting it,” George said.
All made possible through a man in their neighborhood who heard about the program.
“We’re a referral service, so people refer people to us, then we contact them to see if they meet the qualifications of homebound,” McManus said.
Paramedics put in overtime hours to get these residents vaccinated.
“To be able to go out and be a part of such a big thing to help people, especially people that have a harder time doing this on their own,” Paramedic, Paul Lauffer said. “It means a lot to us to do our part to do help them.”
“Being able to do this for the citizens is one of the highlights of my career,” McManus said.
The EMS Division Chief says they’re hoping to get 100 more doses from the state in the next round.
