BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts on Wednesday announced a “streamlined” vaccine distribution plan that will direct COVID-19 vaccine doses to high-capacity sites and away from most of the smaller city clinics that aim to serve only their residents.
The state has informed local health authorities that it is “prioritizing equality and high capacity during vaccination, especially as the federal government’s supply of vaccines remains extremely limited.” The plan will increase vaccine capacity for mass vaccination sites, regional sites and pharmacy sites.
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As of March 1, the first doses will no longer be provided to municipalities that have individual clinics serving only their residents. That state said it will still ensure second doses are distributed so that anyone who had their first appointment can be fully vaccinated.
“Every city around me has prepared and prepared to vaccinate their own city,” Whitman fire chief Tim Grenno said.
Now cities will have to form a consortium and pool their resources to create larger, but fewer locations.
“This is where Beacon Hill has no contact with Massachusetts residents,” Grenno said. “The 75-year-old and older residents will not travel to mass vaccination centers.”
WBZ heard this week from cities frustrated by a lack of shots being sent their way after being told last summer that they would be at the forefront of vaccine distribution. Scituate had a 100-dose clinic on Tuesday, and those who received a vaccine were happy with the smooth process.
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“People get a little frustrated because they call and our reaction is that we just don’t have the vaccine to hand out,” said city manager Jim Boudreau. “If we had it, we would give it.”
The state will continue to support regional partnerships that are open to all Massachusetts residents.
In Marshfield, the city has already turned the fairgrounds into a drive-up site for Plymouth County residents. Now it will evolve into regional
“To be a regional site, which we are already somewhat regional because we are Plymouth County, now with Secretary Sudders’ new mandate, we would probably become a state site, but for the South East region,” said Marshfield Town Manager Mike Maresco.
There are 20 municipalities that will continue to receive vaccines to distribute because they have “had the greatest COVID burden and have the largest percentage of non-white residents.” They are: Boston; Brockton; Chelsea; Everett; Fall River; Fitchburg; Framingham; Haverhill; Holyoke; Lawrence; Leominster; Lowell; Lynn; Malden; Methuen; New Bedford; Randolph; Venerate; Springfield; and Worcester.
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