The primary goal of a mass vaccination clinic to administer shots as quickly as possible might seem like an impersonal task, but not for the workers at the Weber-Morgan Health Department Mass Vaccination Clinic.

Each day, the clinic is staffed by 90-100 individuals who live and work in Weber and Morgan counties. Many are members of the Medical Reserve Corps, a group of service-minded individuals who have volunteered to train and respond in their own communities during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The MRC is comprised of more than 200 current or retired medical professionals certified to administer the vaccine. Others are residents who volunteered to help in any way they can by answering phones in the call center, entering data, or pushing wheelchairs for people coming in to receive their shots.

Also on hand at the clinics are first responders from Ogden City, Roy City, South Ogden and Weber County fire departments, Weber State University faculty and staff, employees from Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital, and members of the Utah National Guard.

At capacity, the clinic can dispense 60-70 shots every 15 minutes.

“We get many compliments on the friendly and professional atmosphere at the site and how people leave feeling they have received great customer service along with a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” says WMHD Executive Director Brian Cowan. “We couldn’t do this without our volunteers and community that has really pulled together to make our vaccination site a success.”

If you would like to join the Weber-Morgan MRC, please visit www.utahresponds.org. You will be asked to complete a short skills survey and receive a background check and training on preparing for emergencies. During non-pandemic times, the MRC keeps their skills sharp with a series of annual drills and working community events, such as first-aid stations at the Ogden and Huntsville Marathons.