Selectmen Put Funds Toward Shingles Vaccinations

On Monday, the Board of Selectmen helped ease the financial burden for residents in need of a shingles vaccination.

At the request of Health Director Jennifer Murphy and the Board of Health, the Selectmen unanimously agreed to use $7,700 from the Hospital Gift Fund to help offset the cost of this year’s shingles vaccine.

The Board of Health is planning to hold a shingles vaccination clinic for about 100 residents, and, with the additional funds, the vaccination will now cost residents $87, instead of the full $164, Murphy said.

Of the three scenarios presented Monday, the Selectmen chose the one that would lower the cost most for residents.

“I think it’s a great plan,” Selectman Jim Johnson said. “Let’s do 100 and see how it’s received.”

The pharmaceutical company Merck also provides the town with free doses of the vaccine in special cases where a resident demonstrates financial eligibility.