Sussex libraries, paramedics team up with Beebe

Starting in early April, Sussex County’s Mobile Library will be converted to a COVID-19 mobile vaccination clinic to help underserved communities in Sussex County.

At its March 23 meeting, Sussex County Council approved a memorandum of understanding among Sussex County Emergency Medical Services, Beebe Healthcare and the Sussex County Department of Libraries to facilitate a first-of-its-kind venture using the dormant bookmobile to distribute vaccinations.

Under the plan, the mobile library, which has been parked since the pandemic began in early 2020, will serve as a medical unit, setting up in targeted areas of the county at least once a week to distribute vaccines.

Library staff will be responsible for transporting and setting up the unit, a converted 2000 Thomas Built Bus, while county paramedics will be on hand to help Beebe staff administer COVID-19 shots and monitor patients for any adverse reactions.

In addition to providing and administering the shots, Beebe Healthcare will also identify communities and handle all patient scheduling in advance. Shots will be provided to recipients with no out-of-pocket costs.

Kim Blanch, Beebe Population Health community services manager, said tentative areas placed on a scheduling map include communities in and around Frankford, Selbyville, Dagsboro, Ocean View and Lincoln. “We want to reach those who have technology and transportation barriers,” she said.

“Vaccinations play a key role in protecting our residents, and this partnership will assist in ensuring that those who desire to be vaccinated will have that opportunity,” said Sussex County EMS director Robert Murray. “This is a great example of thinking out of the box, and an opportunity to partner with the library staff and Beebe to provide vaccinations to the residents who need them.”

Murray said the unit will be deployed as needed to areas identified by Beebe Healthcare as either underserved or where residents may have difficulty accessing other vaccination events. These locales would include housing developments and mobile home communities where there may be a higher concentration of seniors or those without sufficient transportation, and where a community center might not be present.

“Beebe Healthcare’s Population Health team is proud to partner with Sussex County EMS and others to bring a mobile vaccine clinic to communities in Sussex County,” said Dr. Bill Chasanov, Beebe Healthcare COVID-19 response medical director. “This collaboration provides access to safe, effective, and lifesaving vaccines to communities that may not be able to receive them through traditional approaches, accomplishing the goal of an equitable distribution.”

Library staff plan to be on hand with promotional information about services and programs at the county’s independent libraries, which are now open, and to distribute giveaways to those who come out for vaccines.

“In a way, this continues the mobile library’s mission, which is to provide services to those with limited or no access,” said Sussex County Librarian Kathy Graybeal.

Those interested in learning more should contact outreach@beebehealthcare.org.