Heroes help elderly get COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 has affected the world in serious ways, but luckily we have community heroes like Carolyn Starling and Janice Stanmore to help bridge the gap between life before COVID-19 and life after it by lending their assistance to the elderly to get the COVID-19 vaccination through online registration. Their combined efforts have helped to register almost 300 people across counties such as Cass, Bowie, Harris, Fort Ben, Dallas, Terrant and Pulaski.

Starling began her research into the illness after her brother passed away from COVID-19 in July of 2020. When the time came that she could register herself and her husband for the vaccine, she found it difficult to navigate and knew that she needed to help in some way. “I’ve always had a need or want to help the elderly. I went to school for case management in geriatrics and while I’m not working because of disability, there are times I feel good and want to help and I’ve always done that,” said Starling.

Stanmore, a nurse at Texas Children’s Health Clinic, shared a similar opinion, stating that not everyone knows how to use a computer or register online. “That’s been the hardest thing when I talk to them. Some of them have never worked a computer. Some of them don’t know. So to be able to help them has been a blessing,” said Stanmore.

However, Starling and Stanmore know not everyone is comfortable with the vaccine and try to alleviate some of those fears. “A lot of people have been misinformed and a lot of people are scared to take cause they heard things like it will change your DNA,” said Stanmore. “When I researched it for myself, I found that it’s not going to change your DNA. It covers your DNA and that’s my easiest way of explaining it to them. It covers and protects your DNA to prevent COVID-19 from attacking your immune system.”

“We need our community back. We want to be able to go back to the way we were living. To be able to touch, hug, visit, have family gatherings and I know that without the vaccine, it’s going to be a long journey,” said Starling.

Vaccination registration is available through the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Elderly wishing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to contact Starling or Stanmore for assistance. Starling can be contacted at (903) 733-2371 and Stanmore can be contacted at (903) 244-9735.