Gardner hosts COVID-19 vaccination clinic for area first responders Recipients included firefighters, police officers and EMTs from several surrounding communities Gardner News GARDNER — More than a hundred first responders from across the region turned out to receive COVID-19 vaccination shots during a clinic at City Hall on Jan. 13. Designated as the third priority group under the first phase of the state’s vaccination distribution timeline, the group receiving their COVID-19 shot at the clinic in Perry Auditorium included firefighters, police officers, EMTs and emergency dispatchers. Vaccine recipients, which included first responders from Westminster, Templeton, Phillipston, Royalston and Athol, must return the site within 28 days for a second dose of the vaccine for it to become effective.