Over 100 Doses Administered Over the Course of Two Days
Acton Nursing Director Heather York administers the first of two vaccine doses to a resident at the Acton Housing Authority during a clinic held this week. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Acton) 
Firefighter/Paramedic Patrick Douglass administers the first of two vaccine doses to a resident at the Acton Housing Authority. The Town administered over 100 doses of the vaccine over the course of Thursday and Friday. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Acton) 
(Image courtesy Massachusetts Department of Public Health)
ACTON — Acton’s Vaccine Working Group, comprised of Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Anita Arnum, Nursing Director Heather York, Health Director Sheryl Ball, Council on Aging Director Sharon Mercurio and Town Manager John Mangiaratti, is pleased to announce the success of a vaccine clinic held this week for eligible Acton Housing Authority residents.
In total, 118 doses of the COVID-19 vaccination were administered on Thursday and Friday. Of that amount, 21 doses were administered through a mobile clinic that visited home bound seniors.
The doses were specifically allotted only for those 75-years-old and older who became eligible on Monday, Feb. 1 through Phase Two of the state’s vaccination distribution plan.
The clinic was the result of a multi-department collaboration between the Town of Acton, Acton Board of Health, Acton Nursing Services, Acton Fire Department, Acton Police Department, Acton Emergency Management, the Acton Council on Aging and the Acton Housing Authority.
“I am extremely proud of our team, who did an outstanding job organizing and hosting the clinics this week,” Town Manager John Mangiaratti said. “We are grateful to have received this first allotment of vaccines and are working to hold more clinics in the near future to help protect the health and safety of our residents. Until then, we ask that you continue to take the necessary steps to prevent further spread of COVID-19, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and staying home as much as possible.”
The Acton Board of Health is seeking additional vaccination allotments and will notify the community promptly if more vaccines are provided by the state for future clinics. To make sure that your contact information is on file as the town continues to plan for future potential clinics, please be sure to fill out the Vaccine Interest Form referenced below.
Registering at a Current Vaccine Site
The state is continuing to vaccinate those eligible as part of Phase One. Additionally, on Monday, Jan. 25, the state announced that it has restructured Phase Two of the vaccination distribution plan and will vaccinate groups in the following order of priority:
- Individuals 75-years-old and older.
- Individuals 65-years-old and older and individuals with two or more comorbidities, meaning they have a condition that puts them at risk for severe illness should they contract COVID-19. To review these conditions, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here.
- Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works, public health and other workers
- See the full list of work groups here.
- Individuals with one comorbidity
To view a map of vaccination sites, click here. All sites require an appointment.
To make an appointment at a vaccination site:
- Visit mass.gov/COVID-vaccine to find your phase and priority group
- If you’re eligible, visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap to find a vaccine clinic near you
- Make an appointment online and fill out the attestation form
There is no cost to obtain the vaccine, but patients will be required to present their insurance and identification cards, as well as the attestation form found here. Individuals must present proof of their eligibility to receive the vaccine.
It is recommended that those eligible for the vaccine visit the webpage to select a location and make an appointment as soon as they become eligible. However, residents should note that while the state is creating more mass vaccination sites and they may become eligible to receive the vaccination in the coming weeks, vaccination distribution is contingent on the number of physical vaccines available. Residents are asked to remain patient and are encouraged to check the appointment webpage often as new locations and additional appointments are added.
Additionally, a 211 line is also available for residents 75-years-old and older without internet access, and will take calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Translators are also available to help through the 211 line. Callers will be able to speak with a live representative who will help them make an appointment.
Residents are reminded that a second dose of the vaccine is required and you must receive the second dose at the same facility that you received the first dose.
The state has not yet announced when individuals 65-years-old and older and those with two or more comorbidities will be able to receive the vaccine. This will be announced when more information is available about additional doses of the vaccine to be provided to the state by the federal government.
The general public will not be eligible to receive the vaccine until April. To review the full vaccination distribution timeline, click here.
For the latest updates regarding vaccination distribution in Massachusetts, click here. To learn more about frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine, click here.
Acton COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form
The Town of Acton has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. Acton residents or those who work in Acton who meet the eligibility criteria for Phase One or the first two priority groups of Phase Two (individuals age 75+ and individuals age 65+ or with two or more comorbidities) and are interested in receiving the vaccine are asked to complete this form. The form will be used to notify respondents of their eligibility only. It is not a form for reservations, a waitlist or appointments.
Not all subgroups are currently listed on the Vaccine Interest Form. The town will update the form regularly as new subgroups are identified by the state and become eligible for the vaccine.
You may fill out the form on behalf of someone else. If you are inquiring about the eligibility of more than one person, please fill out one form for each person.
Eligibility notifications and updates will be sent via email. If you don’t have access to email and don’t have someone who can submit the form on your behalf, the town will call you at the number provided on the form.
If you do not have access to the internet to submit the form, please contact the Acton Town Services Hotline at 978-929-6600.
Town officials will continue to monitor the situation and share updates, such as specific dates of when the vaccine may become available to more people, as that information becomes available.
The Acton Public Health Department encourages everyone to stay informed regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process. The following resources are recommended for the most up-to-date information:
- Acton COVID-19 Information Center: acton-ma.gov
- Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Timeline Phase Overview: click here
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions: click here
- Latest vaccine update in Massachusetts: click here
- Vaccine locations for individuals currently eligible to be vaccinated in Massachusetts: click here
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