AARP has been arranging free flu shots on St. Croix for 25 years, but Friday was the first time residents older than 50 were immunized in the V.I. Department of Health’s new mobile van parked in front of AARP headquarters in Sunny Isle.
According to AARP Executive Director Denyce Singleton, more than 200 vaccines were administered by DOH nurses between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday.
Tharsis Vlaun, from the DOH, registered people and filled in shot records. AARP volunteers ushered recipients between stations and immunization employees from the Department of Health escorted them to the bright, clean and air-conditioned van.
The immunizations were provided by the Health Department.
“Of course, we have to wait for the Department of Health (to get the vaccines). We try to do seniors in October before flu hits hard,” Singleton said.
According to Singleton, AARP funding depends on events and activities sponsored by the the non-profit organization. She said the DOH van parked near the shopping center may have been partly responsible for the high turnout.
Earlier in the week, AARP partnered with People United for a Better Virgin Islands to host a forum for gubernatorial candidates. All five hopefuls participated in the two-hour question and answer session. Although AARP does not endorse candidates or donate to political parities, the organization holds at least one public forum every election year.
AARP Virgin Islands has about 20,000 members. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life as people age through information, advocacy and service.