Wareham vaccination rate lags; walk-in vaccine clinics available

The percentage of Wareham residents who have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine is increasing — but slowly. 

According to state data, 11,141 people had received at least one dose of a vaccine as of May 20. A week later, in the state’s May 27 report, only 295 more people had received at least their first dose — for a total of 11,436 people.

Although Wareham has a covid-19 vaccine clinic, the town’s vaccination rate lags behind many other Massachusetts communities. State data indicates that only 47 percent of Wareham residents have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine as of May 27. A week ago, only 46 percent of Wareham residents had received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.

The percentage of at least partially-vaccinated people in Wareham is among the lowest in Plymouth County. Of the 27 municipalities in the county, only Middleborough has a lower percentage of people in that group, at 46 percent, while Brockton is tied with Wareham at 47 percent.

Every other municipality in Plymouth County reported that at least 52 percent or more of its population had received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.

People aged 12 or older who live, work or study in Massachusetts are eligible to be vaccinated against covid-19.  Local public health experts continue to encourage people to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

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.

Southcoast Health’s vaccination clinic at the Gleason Family YMCA has closed, but the healthcare nonprofit opened a new clinic at the town’s Multiservice Center on May 8. The vaccine supply is dependent on the state and could vary 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: 

• Saturday, June 5, anyone aged 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of their Moderna vaccines from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Monday, June 7, 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.

• Tuesday, June 8, 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.

The Southcoast Health Wellness Van will be offering two walk-up clinics at which anyone 18 and up can receive a Johnson & Johnson vaccine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wareham Crossing on Wednesday, June 2, or on Onset Pier from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

For times and locations of additional 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 help line 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.