WHITMAN — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Timothy Grenno would like to provide important information to residents regarding future COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the Town of Whitman.
The Town of Whitman is staffed and ready to continue to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible to receive it, however distribution is fully contingent on the Town receiving doses from the state. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has denied the Town of Whitman any vaccine doses as part of their most recent weekly allotment.
This is the second straight week Whitman has not been given doses from the state for distribution.
As a result, the Town is highly encouraging residents to visit a nearby mass vaccination site to receive the vaccine, such as the sites located at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and at Fenway Park in Boston. This includes individuals who have received the first dose of the vaccine and are awaiting the second.
“We were extremely disappointed to have been denied vaccine doses from the state for the second consecutive week, and at this time have been given no indication when additional doses will be made available to the Town,” Chief Grenno said. “This is especially unfortunate for those who have already received one dose of the vaccine and were about to receive their second dose, as well as those who were scheduled to receive their first dose this week. The good news is that the nearby site at Gillette Stadium is very well run and the workers are helpful. There are escalators and elevators for people to use and the process of receiving the vaccination is quick and efficient.”
To book an appointment at a mass vaccination site visit vaxfinder.mass.gov or call 2-1-1. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine at these locations. For those unable to make it to a site themselves, a family member or caregiver is able to accompany someone receiving the vaccine and they are eligible to receive it as well (although both would need an appointment).
The Town of Whitman is also exploring the option of running a bus to the Gillette Stadium site for eligible seniors over the age of 75 who do not have any other means of transportation to and from state clinics. The Town is currently gauging interest in such a service, and anyone interested is asked to call the Town at 781-618-9778 and leave their name and number. A Town representative will call back if/when the bus transportation has been finalized.
Whitman residents who need additional assistance relating to the COVID-19 vaccination can call 781-618-9778. For more information, visit the Town website here and official COVID-19 news blog here.
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