Wareham now has second-lowest percentage of vaccinated residents in Plymouth County

The percentage of at least partially vaccinated people in Wareham is the second-lowest in Plymouth County. According to the state’s June 3 data, only 48 percent of Wareham residents have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine. That amounts to just 11,690 people.

A week ago, only 47 percent of Wareham residents had received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.

Of the 27 municipalities in the county, only Middleborough has a lower percentage of at least partially vaccinated individuals, at 46 percent. Brockton — which had been tied with Wareham in terms of percentage until last week — is now reporting that at least 49 percent of its residents have received at least one dose of the covid vaccine.

Every other municipality in Plymouth County reported that at least 54 percent or more of its population had received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.

Vaccine clinics and availability

People aged 12 or older who live, work or study in Massachusetts are eligible to be vaccinated against covid-19. 

People over the age of 18 can sign up to receive any vaccine, but those ages 12 to 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine. Local public health experts continue to encourage people to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Southcoast Health operates a vaccine clinic at the town’s Multiservice Center. The vaccine supply is dependent on the state and varies from week to week.

Those interested in getting vaccinated through Southcoast can now sign-up as slots are available, either through their MyChart account or at www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling/, which does not require a MyChart account.

Alternatively, Southcoast is offering walk-up vaccines at various locations. 

In Wareham, walk-in vaccinations will be available at the Multiservice Center, 48 Marion Rd., at the following times: 

• Tuesday, June 8: anyone aged 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of their Moderna vaccine from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, June 12: anyone aged 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and anyone aged 12 and up can receive a second dose of their Pfizer vaccines from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 15: anyone aged 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of their Moderna vaccines from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, June 19: anyone aged 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Southcoast Health Wellness Van will be offering a walk-up clinic at which anyone 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Onset Pier from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

For times and locations of upcoming walk-up clinics, visit: https://www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccination/. 

Those eligible for the vaccine can find appointments at other providers around the state using the state’s website vaxfinder.mass.gov.

Wareham’s Council on Aging staff has launched a hotline for residents who need help making a covid-19 vaccine appointment. Residents can dial 508-291-3100 Ext. 6530 from 8 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday and staff will assist with finding a mass vaccination site with openings and booking the appointment.

The state has also set up a call center for those who are eligible for the vaccine but are unable to access the vaccine appointment website or who have trouble navigating the complex online system.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, people can call 211 and navigate to the vaccine helpline by pressing two when prompted. The call center has workers on staff who speak English and Spanish, and there are translators available to support residents in about 100 additional languages.

For additional information about the available covid-19 vaccines, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ or talk to your doctor.