This year our members filled 80 shifts in support of 12 flu clinics between October 16 and December 2; in Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, and Westford. Local residents and municipal employees stopped by the clinics to receive free inoculations for influenza and pneumonia.

During this annual public health initiative, UMV MRC members at all skill levels filled every request for our service.

Some of the UMV MRC volunteers at the first clinic of the season in Chelmsford
pause for a photo while receiving final instructions. Others were filling syringes and
greeting local residents before the clinic opened.

The City of Lowell held its annual clinic at the Tsongas Arena. This was the busiest clinic supported by the UMV MRC, accommodating one of the largest cities in MA outside of metropolitan Boston. MRC members provided surge capacity along with other organizations, including volunteer translators and nursing students.

Non-medical members helped with clinic flow and registration.

To accommodate its diverse multi-cultural population, the Lowell clinic welcomed translators who provided support for many languages.

Service at these clinics also benefits the Medical Reserve Corps:

• Fulfillment of our mission to promote public health
• Greater awareness of our unit and its capabilities across the region
  
• Low-stress opportunity for MRC members to get involved in activities
  
• Practice of skills that would be useful at an Emergency Dispensing Site