WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Health Director Meredith Hurley wish to share information on the state’s new preregistration tool for mass vaccination sites, as well as updated guidelines for fully-vaccinated individuals.
The Baker-Politio Administration recently announced a new sign-up tool for the state’s seven mass vaccination sites. The system, which launched Friday, March 12, is designed to help make it easier to request and book an appointment at these sites when they are available.
The closest mass vaccination sites are at Fenway Park, Hynes Convention Center and the Reggie Lewis Center — all in Boston.
To preregister:
- Eligible residents will complete the online form at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to request to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site nearby.
- After completing the form, residents will get a confirmation via their preferred method of contact (text, e-mail, phone) and receive a weekly update about their status. Residents may opt out of preregistration at any time if they secure an appointment elsewhere.
- When an appointment becomes available at a mass vaccination site, the resident will be notified and will have 24 hours to accept the appointment once it is offered. If an appointment is not accepted after 24 hours, the resident will go back into the queue to wait for another appointment.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Schedule Resource 211 line remains available for those without internet access or who have difficulty using the internet for the preregistration process.
The 211 line can be accessed by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” The hotline is only available for residents eligible for the vaccine without internet access or who otherwise cannot use the appointment site, and will take calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Translators will be available to help through the 211 line. Callers will be able to speak with a live representative who will help them find a nearby vaccination location and make an appointment. For more information about the 211 line, click here.
Available appointments will be offered to residents based on their vaccine eligibility and the availability of appointments at mass vaccination sites nearby. At this time, this program is only for the state’s mass vaccination sites. More sites are expected to be added to the preregistration system in April.
Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Additionally, Winthrop officials wish to share state and federal guidelines for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated more than two weeks after they have received the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or more than two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
The state has updated the travel order and quarantine guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated. Based on the new guidelines, these individuals can:
- Travel to Massachusetts without quarantining upon arrival or obtaining a negative test result. Proof of vaccination may be required. This exception does not apply to individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, who must follow all testing and quarantine guidance outlined in the travel rules. More information about the travel order can be found here.
- Fully vaccinated individuals, as well as those who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days (from day of symptom onset or day of first positive test if asymptomatic) are no longer required to quarantine following an exposure. More information can be found here.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that fully vaccinated people should continue to:
- Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
- Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
- Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
- Get tested if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Follow guidance issued by individual employers
- Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
This guidance will be updated as the amount of vaccinated individuals increases. The Town will continue to share information as it becomes available.
As always, Winthrop residents can learn the latest about the COVID-19 situation in Winthrop by visiting the town’s COVID-19 portal.
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