A Record Year for Island Immunizations: Neighbors Caring for Neighbors

Written by Pam Gould, Lummi Island Health & Wellness Board Member

What a day for Lummi Island! Our annual Island Immunization Clinic was a record-breaker, and I want to share just how special it was to see our community come together to care for one another.

This was a record year: 289 vaccines administered to 153 people, with 200 people registered!

Lummi Island Health & Wellness (LIH&W) co-sponsors this annual clinic with the Lummi Island Fire Department. This year, we partnered with Hoagland’s Pharmacy and the Whatcom Community College Nursing Program to offer convenient, accessible immunizations for islanders of all ages.

The clinic offered flu vaccines, high-dose flu vaccines for seniors, COVID-19 vaccines, and high-dose COVID-19 vaccines for seniors. Hoagland’s Pharmacy also checked the state immunization database to identify islanders who needed their 10-year tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td/Tdap). Twenty-one islanders requested the booster!

But the numbers tell only part of the story.

What I Saw That Day

I watched three generations of one family get vaccinated. I saw a four-year-old and a 100-year-old receive their shots. One family of six was vaccinated in under 20 minutes, and their mom was so impressed!

I saw beloved island elders and neighbors with disabilities receive care. I also saw something that speaks to the importance of making healthcare accessible to everyone: an islander who was highly tech-savvy and another with no cell phone or internet access were both able to get vaccinated.

That matters here. Living on an island has many wonderful benefits, but accessing healthcare and navigating online systems can sometimes be challenging. Everyone deserves the opportunity to take care of their health, regardless of age, ability, or access to technology.

The Fire Department and LIH&W volunteer Andrew were amazing in helping people complete electronic registrations. Their support kept things moving, and there was almost no waiting.

A Wonderful Partnership

The collaboration among all our partners made this clinic especially successful.

Hoagland’s Pharmacy went above and beyond by checking immunization records and helping islanders identify boosters they might need. The Whatcom Community College Nursing Program brought welcoming, friendly nursing students who connected with islanders throughout the day. The Fire Department provided essential support, and LIH&W helped ensure that people could register and participate.

There was plenty of chatting and catching up along the way. People weren't simply coming in for a vaccination and heading home. They were connecting with neighbors, meeting nursing students, and spending time with the people and organizations that help make our island community strong.

From setup to cleanup, the entire event took about five hours. That's what can happen when people work together with a shared purpose!

Healthcare Is About Connection, Too

At Lummi Island Health & Wellness, we know that well-being involves more than medical appointments. It also means feeling supported, building relationships, and knowing where to turn when you need help.

This clinic brought those pieces together beautifully. We served young families, older adults, and vulnerable neighbors. We helped people navigate electronic registration and made preventive healthcare more accessible. We also created an opportunity for islanders to connect with one another and with the people working to support their health.

These connections build trust and strengthen our community's resilience. They remind us that we don't have to navigate everything alone.

Thank You, Lummi Island!

My heartfelt thanks go to the Lummi Island Fire Department, Hoagland’s Pharmacy, the Whatcom Community College Nursing Program, LIH&W volunteer Andrew, and everyone who helped organize, staff, and support the clinic.

Thank you, too, to the islanders who registered, came in for their vaccinations, and helped make the day such a positive experience.

We just have a great community! I'm grateful to everyone who contributes to making Lummi Island a place where neighbors look out for one another.

Here's to a happy, healthy fall—and to continuing to build a healthier, more connected island together!

Pam Gould

LIH&W Board Member