• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

PR for Police, Fire, Schools and Municipal Government

  • About
    • About
    • Team
    • Jobs at JGPR
    • Internships
  • Services
    • Content
    • Strategy
    • Standards
    • COVID-19 Crisis Communications
    • Work With Us
  • Our Work
    • Portfolio
    • Sectors We Serve
  • News
    • COVID-19 News
    • Client News
    • JGPR News
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Bedford Police and Council on Aging Warn Senior Residents of One-Time ‘Companion’ Offers Related to COVID-19 Vaccines

BEDFORD -- Chief Robert Bongiorno, Director of Public Health Heidi Porter and Director of the Council on Aging Alison Cservenschi would like to warn Bedford seniors to avoid connecting with strangers offering to serve as a "companion" in order to obtain the vaccinations alongside eligible seniors.

February 16, 2021 Taylor O'Neil Client News, Police News

February 16, 2021 by Taylor O'Neil

For immediate release

Numerous Official Resources Are Available For Those In Need

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno, Director of Public Health Heidi Porter and Director of the Council on Aging Alison Cservenschi would like to warn Bedford seniors to avoid connecting with strangers offering to serve as a “companion” in order to obtain the vaccinations alongside eligible seniors.

Under new state rules, those who are identified as companions of individuals age 75 and over are now permitted to accompany those seniors to appointments at state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites, and be vaccinated as well. The Town of Bedford has become aware of instances in which otherwise ineligible individuals are offering rides, help with making appointments, monetary compensation, etc. to seniors in order to get vaccinated. 

Senior residents should not exchange money, credit card or other personal information to strangers in return for transportation or companionship.

“As a rule of thumb, we ask that any senior resident looking for transportation or a companion to reach out to family members first, then the Council on Aging,” Director Cservenschi said. “We discourage residents from accepting any companion or transportation offers from people they do not know as this may put them in a vulnerable position.”

Senior residents in need of transportation to vaccination appointments and other support regarding the vaccine are encouraged to call the Bedford Council on Aging at 781-275-6825. The Council on Aging will be available to provide limited rides within town and to neighboring towns.

Residents in need of additional support related to obtaining the vaccine, such as making an appointment or learning more about where they can be vaccinated, are urged to call either the visit the COVID-19 Vaccination page on the Health Department website at www.bedfordma.gov/health or call the Health Department at 781-275-6507.

“There are numerous state and local resources available to senior residents who may need assistance in regards to the COVID-19 vaccine,” Director Porter said. “At this time, we urge residents to use the state’s 211 hotline if they need assistance with appointment registration and to reach out to either the Bedford Board of Health or Council on Aging if they have any further questions or concerns.”

Seniors looking for assistance when registering for a vaccination appointment may also seek help from the state’s 211 hotline for those 75 and over by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” The hotline is only available for residents 75 and older without internet access or who otherwise cannot use the appointment website, and will take calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents 75 and older with internet access should continue seeking an appointment online through the state’s website by clicking here. Residents eligible for the vaccine are also advised to contact their local pharmacy and primary care provider to learn about other potential opportunities available for vaccination.

Avoid Scams Related to COVID-19 and the Vaccine

Older residents are encouraged to be mindful of potential scams tied to the pandemic, including vaccines. There is no cost to patients to receive the vaccination, so residents should disregard any offers to provide the vaccine in exchange for a fee.

In general, you should never provide personal information to anyone who calls you unsolicited — including your name, date of birth, social security number, bank account numbers, driver’s license number, nor anything else that could be used to compromise your identity. 

If anyone has any questions or feels that they have been victimized, they are encouraged to call the Bedford Police Department at 781-275-1212.

###

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Client News,  Police News bedford police department

Primary Sidebar

Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police 
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730
Media Contact: Taylor O'Neil
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: taylor@jgpr.net

Email Updates

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,066 other subscribers

Recent News

  • Fast-Acting West Newbury Firefighters Prevent Serious Damage to Barn with Animals Inside January 29, 2023
  • Statement of Maynard Police Chief Michael Noble Regarding Senseless Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis January 29, 2023
  • A Statement from the Woburn School Committee and Mayor Scott Galvin Regarding Ongoing Contract Negotiations January 29, 2023
  • Statement of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association January 29, 2023
  • Statement of Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara on Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis January 28, 2023

Content. Strategy. Standards.

When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency.


Contact Us Work With Us

Footer

Always Open

Call us: 617-993-0003

We’re available 24/7/365.

Location

Main Office
Northern New England

8 Prospect St.
Georgetown, MA 01833
617-993-0003

Southern New England
719 Washington St.
Canton, MA 02021
781-428-3299

Award Winning

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news.

Subscribe to this website

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 11,066 other subscribers
Copyright © 2023 John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC Log in · Privacy Policy