After helping their own families, three local women are now helping strangers get appointments for their COVID-19 vaccines, writes Jason Laughlin for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Exton resident Melinda McCann had managed to lock in a vaccination date for her parents despite the scarcity, mixed messages, and national confusion. She then scheduled appointments for her in-laws and older family and a friend. Then, she continued helping strangers.

She was joined in her efforts by her sister, Mary Brady, and cousin, Alicia Karr. Within two weeks, the three women had established a volunteer network that helps dozens of people in the area get vaccinated.

McCann’s primary care doctor, Christine Meyer, helps them connect to people looking for shots through the PA COVID Vaccine Match Maker Facebook group.

One of the main barriers to people who are eligible for vaccination is that they are often not tech-savvy.

“People who don’t know how to use these tech resources,” said McCann, “that’s who we’re really trying to help.”

Their success mostly hinges on vigilance and persistence, as they and other volunteers spend hours each day refreshing the websites of vaccine providers.

“You just have to keep trying,” she said. “It’s a very frustrating process.”

Read more about the women’s efforts in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.