NASHUA – The Nashua department of public health and community services continues to see patients who are getting their second doses while that number has slightly declined.

Nashua public health nurse Patty Glastetter said that may be due to the change in venue in Nashua, from St. Louis Church on West Hollis Street to Temple Beth Abraham on Raymond Street.

Up until last week, the vaccination shots administered were Pfizer and Moderna, but the city will soon be holding a clinic in Brookline where they will utilize the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.

“This is our first clinic that we’re holding with the Johnson & Johnson since it’s come back on board,” Glastetter said, “just because our calendar has been pretty full.”

Glastetter said that there has been a slow progression of people scheduling appointments and the Nashua department of health is addressing vaccine hesitancy and contacting those who may not have transportation to get to the clinic.

“We’re having these clinics in smaller towns and the plan is to have them more frequently,” she said. “When you consider not only our clinics, but the six site clinics, that they are seeing more appointments available because some people are not signing up.”

That’s a trend that the city anticipated. Glastetter said once the bulk of people get vaccinated, then the remaining people are those who might be “sitting on the fence.”

“Some people aren’t sure they want to get the vaccine,” she said. “Or they simply don’t want to get it or may be harder to reach.”

Glastetter said the city is expanding their outreach to areas which are harder to get to or to areas where people are more indecisive about getting their shot.

“We want to push out to those harder to reach populations right now,” she said.

There is a tact and a dialogue that the city wants to have with people who are hesitant.

“Absolutely,” she said. “And that’s one of the things that we’re focusing our messaging on and making sure that we push information out. Specifically, with the J&J, there have been a certain number of instances that have happened where people had adverse outcomes, but at this point, it can’t be directly linked to the vaccine.”

Officials have come up with a discreet list of symptoms to be aware of and follow up with their healthcare provider if those symptoms are present. They include abdominal pain or leg pain which may be an indication of a blood clot. There have been 13 incidents in 8 million J&J vaccinations.

“I don’t think they had a statistic for the regular rate of occurrence,” Glastetter said. “There are folks who aren’t interested in getting vaccinated. Or maybe more likely to get a one-shot vaccine, such as people like the homeless population, or people who are transient or just don’t want to get shots in general.”

Glastetter said it’s important to have conversations with people who are reluctant to contribute to any kind of “herd immunity,” and the impact those people might have on others around them.

“It’s not just a matter of keeping others safer,” she said. “It’s about getting the right information into everyone’s hands. We try to reach out to people where they are.”

Glastetter said that reaching out to people where they are is the most effective way to make a positive impact.

“We’ve had people go out to different hangouts,” she said. “It might be a neighborhood or a bar. If we can speak to someone that’s just hanging outside and speak to them, it might make a difference.”

Glastetter said those people might be more at risk and speaking to them one-on-one can help them by answering their questions.

“Some of our volunteer vaccinators have done that with us,” she said. “We have some amazing people who are great at making connections with folks, just having conversations and educating them. I’m not saying it’s 100 percent effective but we’ve been able to make sure that if we have vaccines available after clinics, we want to try to find people or groups of people that we can talk to about what’s making them hesitant.”

Another facet of the plan is to carry some amount of vaccines when the city health department does street outreach.

“When we do outreach to different areas of town, a few vaccines might mean a few more shots in arms,” she said. “Whether that’s at the library or at Mines Falls. Someone might not be as likely to make and keep an appointment but may be likely to receive a one-dose vaccine there on the spot, to give them that protection.”

Other areas slated for clinics besides Brookline – which is within reach for folks in Mason or Hollis – include Milford and Wilton. A monthly clinic is held in Merrimack.

“We have the clinic in Merrimack right in the center of town,” Glastetter said, “which makes it easier for anyone, anywhere in Merrimack to get there.”

On the eastern corridor, places like Pelham, Hudson and Litchfield are planned for clinics. The Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter also has a monthly clinic.

“We’re making sure that folks that utilize their services have the availability to get vaccines right there, since it’s a place that they go anyway,” Glastetter said. “And we’re identifying places like housing units or other places where there is an increase in cases.”

Staff and residents at organizations such as the Front Door Agency, the Plus Company, Bridges at Epoch, Gateways and senior living as well as the Nashua housing authority facilities were reached under Phase 1b back in February and March.

Herd immunity can be reached in New Hampshire, Glastetter said.

“I think that it’s definitely possible,” she said. “You’ll hear the governor, that he wants 100 percent. There is a slight chance that will happen because there are some people who don’t get vaccinated. We’ve had people who have never been vaccinated for anything, get the COVID vaccine, which is great. But there will always be some people who simply don’t want it.”

Educating people and debunking myths about the vaccines can help those who are afraid to get vaccinated, get vaccinated.

“There are myths,” Glastetter said. “People believe them, whether because of their political culture, or whether because of their culture of beliefs. I don’t think we can get to 100 percent but I do believe we can get to 70 or 80 percent within the state. And that would be amazing to do that – to keep people safe and healthy.”

Newsletter