M C assigned this issue to Lisa Sanders

Keith, You should call your city councilor. (info below/ link below) Or better yet call the Mayor, That's what he's there for.

From what I can see you're in Ward 4? This is an Issue (especially in ward 5) city wide, Only 1 city councilor is actively involved on this platform and that's a disgrace.

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema//bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

George Balakier

Ward Councilors
Title: Ward 4 Councilor
Phone: 413-594-8137
Email

Please respond back and let us know if you made any progress.

Yup, that’s me. So the plan is to use the lower part of the senior center for vaccines. At this point in time the state has not given us any. The vaccine team is in place and ready to go. We are ready on the city level.

Councilor Courchesne to the rescue as always.

Keith, you are not forgotten and you are not being Ignored. Councilor Courchesne will see to that!! Keep being a squeaky wheel, speak up and continue to speak up. Squeaky wheels get grease.

Councilor Courchesne. who's at the next level handling the roll out of the vaccine for our city?

#CouncilorCourchesneForMayor

:). The mayor would be in touch with the state. The state hasn’t received what was promised so it all trickles down unfortunately.

I'd be willing to bet all 65+ East of 495 will be taken care of first. Just a hunch.....

Good afternoon Mr. Alridge,

We are currently in Phase 2 Step 1, which is includes those eligible in phase 1 and also those 75 and older. The City of Chicopee is currently working on having vaccination clinics for those that are eligible. This is a monumental task as there are protocols and procedures that must be followed.

Please rest assured that we are working and doing our best to get the clinic up and running.

Lisa

If you would please email me when the vaccine is ready, I could inform my fellow seniors at the community at Riverview Terrace, in Chicopee, for the elderly and disabled off of Front street, or perhaps you could inform Monica Blazic, Director of the Chicopee Housing Authority, and she could send out flyers to everyone here using the maintenance crew to do so. Perhaps a number we can call to reserve or simply better yet, show an I.D. card with our Age or Date of Birth on it as most of us do not have computers, phones, or printers, and have no way to know if the vaccine is in or when it will be given.
Thanks so much for caring enough to reply and work on this.
Keth Aldrige

I would encourage those seeking to get vaccinated to contact the Council on Aging ( 413) 534-3698 and have their names placed on a list. We will definitely make the public aware of any clinics that we will have in the city. Please be mindful in that we may get small batches of the vaccine in at a time.

Thank you for being an advocate for others!

Hello Lisa, and thank you for your reply, and for caring enough to do so, and in recognizing my plight to ensure the elderly in Chicopee are included in the efforts of vaccination. As I had said, having the Front Street Chicopee Health Clinic or Counsel of Aging in Chicopee distribute the vaccine would simplify things, especially, if people were taken on a last name basis starting with the letter A to C, then D to G, and so on. It is most difficult for seniors to have access to computers or printers or cell phones to prove appointment status. Using last name letters and proof of age and I.D. address stating Chicopee resident would make things easier. And for those missing a day, the plan would include those missing a day could be included retro with the new group of the last name designated candidates for the vaccine. Notifications could go out to registered voters in Chicopee whose birthdates indicate validity as candidates. The Chicopee Housing Authority could have staff send out fliers to those living in Senior Elderly Housing and so on giving time in advance. notice, and have seniors sign up for part two of the vaccine on their first visit. Perhaps have the Chicopee Health Department contact the Director of the Housing Authority to set a date for the elderly to give vaccines at those sites in Chicopee. Presently, the Elderly center you mentioned for us to call is not taking people on the waiting list so other avenues must be realized. Can you please speak to your peers in the leadership of our city, Chicopee, and speak with the Mayor on the feasibility of the concerns aforementioned? People sixty-five or older should not be left in the dark because they can not travel to Springfield or speak with a person to get an appointment. I am very concerned about our elderly population here in this city of Chicopee and would appreciate any help the leaders of Chicopee can effectively render. What good is a phone number to call if it is always busy, understaffed, and so on. This should be a walk-in basis like flu shots are. I know Mayor View really cares but I am only one voice and need the help of the officers in Chicopee to make this happen. Your elderly need your help, effective hands-on get it done help. I have written to Governor Baker and he never responds back. It seems though, he does take care of Springfield, and the local pharmacies receiving vaccines are never in Chicopee and if they were, I am sure phone lines would be flooded. This should be a walk-in basis based on last names similar to the flu vaccine. I need your help. I need effective result based help.
Most Sincerely,
Keith Aldrige