During the vaccination rollout, FirstNet announced it is offering solutions for public safety agencies, local and state governments, and healthcare organizations to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine efficiently and effectively. Regions and locations where FirstNet is providing assistance are as follows:
Western States
- In California, Palomar Health set-up a resource clinic in Escondido equipped with FirstNet enabled tablets and smartphones where commercial coverage presented a connectivity issue. The “triple threat” site offers drive-thru testing, vaccination and monoclonal therapy, an antibody therapy that could keep symptomatic patients away from the hospital.
- Seattle Fire Department’s mobile vaccination teams are using FirstNet mobile devices to help coordinate their efforts across the city and maximize efficiency in supplying vaccinations to those living in adult family homes, permanent supportive and affordable housing, as well as pop-up clinics throughout the city.
Southern Region
- Galveston County Health District in partnership with the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management and League City Office of Emergency Management Clinicians use mobile devices to log-in to the patient portal and manage the entire process from registration to release after vaccine. FirstNet is also being used to monitor the drive-thru vaccination location via cameras powered by FirstNet. This allows law enforcement to monitor vehicle traffic as the vehicles move through the location from registration to release. Lastly, FirstNet is being used within their League City Fire Marshal’s Office command trailer to assist in connecting devices for general use and video conferencing.
Midwest
- In rural Illinois, Perry County Health Department is using FirstNet connected tablets and hotspots to operate remote COVID-19 clinics. Additionally, home health nurses in Perry County are using FirstNet connected tablets to manage scheduling and electronic paperwork.
- Spectrum Health is using FirstNet on smartphones at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic in Grand Rapids. The healthcare provider also used Portable Data Network (PDN) kits at COVID-19 testing sites. A PDN is an all-inclusive mobile suitcase equipped with a modem and FirstNet connectivity that provides highly secure internet access – think ultimate Wi-Fi hotspot – wherever you take it.
East Coast
- Howard County Fire & Rescue Services is using FirstNet on tablets and smartphones with their Mobile Integrated Community Health team delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals who are developmentally disabled or who live in group or congregate living facilities. The vaccine distribution team is comprised of personnel from Howard County Fire and affiliated agencies.
- In New Jersey, Capital Health is using FirstNet on tablets and smartphones to check in patients at its Trenton and Hopewell inoculation sites.
- Inspira Health Network is using FirstNet for stand-alone hotspots and smartphones with hotspot capability at its vaccination site.
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