Retired Medical Workers Needed to Administer COVID Vaccines

COVID-19 has been the bad news, no, scratch that; the worst news our state has seen since the days of malaria and polio. But, there's now some good news!

The good news is that Louisiana will soon get enough of the COVID vaccine, that volunteers are needed to help administer the vaccine. But, not just anyone is needed for this mammoth task.

In a report from the Louisiana Radio Network, we learn that the Louisiana State Office of Public Health is looking for retired medical providers who’d be interested in volunteering to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

What Louisiana really needs is a heaping helping of eligible, retired volunteers including, physicians, osteopaths, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, paramedics, EMTs, and PAs.

Bureau of Community Preparedness interim director Dr. Sundee Winder said they need anyone who’s available to augment their current force of vaccinators. Winder says, "We believe that there are retirees who really do want to get involved and so we want to offer this opportunity to them to be involved in this once in a lifetime pandemic."

Winder goes on to say that as early as this spring and summer, Louisiana is expecting an increased delivery of the vaccine and the bureau wants to be proactive and get prepared for those deliveries. “Just for preparedness we want to make sure that all available vaccinators are trained and available to us,” said Winder.

Those that might be interested in volunteering will find flexible schedules available in mornings, afternoons, and evenings for training and eventually participation. Winder does add that these are unpaid, volunteer needs, “We are looking for retirees that are willing to volunteer their time, and this is non-paid.”

If you're interested in volunteering, just go to the Louisiana Volunteers In Action webpage.