Residents Reminded COVID-19 Vaccination Will Not Be Available to Public Until Spring
GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Public Health Director Karin Carroll and Fire Chief Eric Smith wish to provide additional information and reminders regarding COVID-19 vaccination distribution.
The vaccination clinic at the Rose Baker Senior Center is only servicing select regional first responders at this time. The clinic is only permitted by the state’s Department of Public Health to vaccinate certain first responders, COVID-19 vaccinators and support staff for the vaccination clinic. Even those who may have become eligible for the vaccination through phase one of the state’s distribution plan cannot be vaccinated at this week’s clinic.
The general public is reminded the vaccine will not be available to them until April, at the very earliest, through the state’s vaccination distribution plan. The state is updating the list of eligible groups prioritized within the state twice weekly on its website, linked here.
The City of Gloucester is committed to keeping the public fully apprised of the vaccination process, and will broadcast clearly and in a timely manner any and all updates regarding vaccination distribution in the area over the coming weeks and months. This information will be shared over the City’s website, social media and by robocall. To sign up for Smart 911 and get important City robocalls and emergency notifications click here.
However, members of the public are asked to not contact the City at this time with questions regarding vaccination distribution, access and timelines. Inquiries of this nature are limiting City resources at a time when they are needed most. Those with vaccine distribution timeline questions can contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by emailing COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov.
“We know how deeply people want and need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We will keep everyone updated as the vaccine becomes available to more people and more information about where you can get vaccinated comes to light,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “However, we need everyone to understand that the clinic we’re operating currently is open only to a very limited number of first responders, and those are the only people we have been permitted by the state to vaccinate at that site.”
Those being vaccinated at the Rose Baker Senior Center at this time are limited to previously identified people who are:
- COVID-19 vaccinators and support staff for the vaccination clinic. Staff were selected by the Gloucester Health Department to support the clinic based on a particular skillset or prior experience running a vaccination clinic.
- Emergency medical services, police, and fire, including: All interfacility transport workers, MedFlight staff, 911 Dispatch employees; Federal Law Enforcement (USCG); Court officers; Harbormasters/Assistant Harbormasters.
- School nurses who provide COVID-19 testing.
The City of Gloucester has no information pertaining to future clinics in the City at this time. However, should more clinics become available, the City may utilize the Medical Reserve Corps to identify local and regional volunteers. To learn more, click here. To volunteer to assist in the state’s COVID-19 response, go to maresponds.org.
“We are appreciative of everyone’s patience as we all wait for the vaccine to become available to more people and broader segments of our community,” Public Health Director Carroll said. “It’s important for everyone to keep in mind– we’re still in phase one of this plan. We are committed to helping our community access this vaccine as more people become eligible and will continue to update you all. In the meantime, please be well, continue wearing a mask, practice social distancing, limit social gatherings and do your part to help stop the spread.”
For the latest updates, visit the City of Gloucester’s website here, the Health Department’s Facebook Page @GloucesterMAHealthDepartment here and Mayor Romeo Theken’s Facebook Page @MayorSefatia here.
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