Sheriff’s Office collaborates with MVCS to get veterans vaccinated

By
Lucas Thors
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Major Sterling Bishop, Tom Bennett, Bob Tankard, and Sheriff Robert Ogden are working together in a new collaborative program to get veterans vaccinated in Hyannis.

The Dukes County Sheriff’s Office is working with Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Veteran Advocacy Program to transport veterans to the VA Medical Clinic in Hyannis and back, so they can be vaccinated for COVID-19, according to a press release.

“We are pleased to support our Island’s veterans and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services with our community outreach initiatives,” Sheriff Robert Ogden said in the release. “Safe and reliable access to the COVID-19 vaccine is essential to the health and safety of our community’s veteran population.”

Major Sterling Bishop said in the release that participants of the advocacy program who qualify to receive the vaccine may travel three at a time, with Bishop in a Sheriff’s Office van, to and from the clinic for both their first and second doses.

“Everyone is spaced apart and wearing masks for safety, and complete screenings before boarding. It’s a fun ride; to be able to talk, laugh, and get to know each other. Participants are monitored for side effects once they receive their shots, then we all head home,” Bishop said in the release.

Tom Bennett, director of veteran services, said in the release that outreach services currently include helping veterans with food and gas cards, and a new advisory committee has been formed to help assess and prioritize the needs of the veterans community. 

Bennett also thanked the Martha’s Vineyard Public School system for assisting with transportation while the collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and MVCS was being arranged.

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you Major Sterling Bishop, Tom Bennett, Bob Tankard, and Sheriff Robert Ogden!
    I see no input in this article concerning the County nor the County’s Veterans agent being active in any of all the above issues concerning island veterans.

    I do know for a fact veterans have been piling into cars themselves and driving three in a car to get their first and second CV-19 Vaccines from Dr, Vanbeber and Ashley and most of us have already gotten our first and second shots.
    I am interested to find out about the new advisory committee that has been formed to help assess and prioritize the needs of the veterans community.

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