Massachusetts is ramping up it's vaccine distribution plan, adding two new mass vaccination sites and over 100,000 new appointments to the system in the coming weeks.
Mass vaccination sites in Natick and Dartmouth will open on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 respectively, with both sites beginning to accept appointments on Feb. 18. The Natick site will be located at the Natick Mall and the Dartmouth site will be in a former Circuit City location.
According to Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, 74,000 appointments for vaccines will be posted online statewide with an additional 30,000 appointments for retail pharmacies cooperating with the state. Sudders said 30 new pharmacies will begin to distribute vaccines soon, including new locations at CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans, Big Y and Stop and Shop pharmacies.
The state will also begin to allow individuals over 75 years old to authorize companions to accompany them to any of the mass vaccination sites and to also receive a vaccination at that time. Sudders said the companions, meant to be a trusted caregiver, friend or family member, must attest that they will accompany an older individual and book their own appointment at the same site near the same time.
Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday some older residents may be hesitant or unable to get to a mass vaccination site like Gillette Stadium without aid, but also wouldn't want to burden someone else with assisting them.
"One way to make it a little less of a burden, or to feel like they're being a burden when they ask somebody to help them do it, is to be able to say that that person can get vaccinated when they come with them," Baker said.
Sudders said state leaders are still several weeks away from moving into the next part of the second phase of the vaccinae plan, when those 65 years old and over will be eligible. Sudders said federal supplies will need to increase before eligibility categories are widened.
Baker also announced that the Massachusetts National Guard began providing support for some vaccination centers last week, playing a similar role to how the Guard assisted in the state's testing efforts. Ten Guard members are working at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to administer vaccines and 20 Guard members were deployed Wednesday to the Springfield and Danvers mass vaccination sites.
"It's kind of been the way we've been working. We've been working with them on an as-needed basis, not just through this crisis, but through many others as well for a long time," Baker said of the Guard.
Baker said his team "thought it was appropriate" to bring the Guard in to help with logistical support, though a press release from Captain Aaron Smith of the Massachusetts National Guard stated the Guard members are administering vaccines to patients.
