City of Gloucester Provides Guidance to Residents 75-Years-Old and Older Amid Shortfall of Vaccination Doses

Phase 2 of Massachusetts’ COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Begins Today

GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Public Health Director Karin Carroll wish to provide guidance to residents 75-years-old and older who became eligible for COVID-19 vaccination today and may be trying to obtain an appointment.

“We know that many of our residents are anxious to be vaccinated, and that many of our older adult residents have become eligible today and are trying to obtain an appointment. They may face challenges due to a lack of available doses, a lack of internet access, a need for technology support to seek out an appointment, or a combination of those factors,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “We are all in this together, and we’re doing everything in our power to help expedite this process. We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.”

The City of Gloucester wishes to share the following list of local and regional vaccination sites with those still seeking an appointment:

Note: All vaccination sites require an appointment and walk-ins will not be accepted. Residents are also reminded to have their identification, insurance card and any supplemental insurance information ready when making a vaccination appointment. You can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine without insurance or identification, however.

• To view a map of vaccination sites across the state and available appointments, click here. The nearest mass vaccination site established by the state is at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Danvers and opens Wednesday, Feb. 3. Mass vaccination sites currently have the most availability for appointments.
• Check in with your local pharmacy, as some may have appointments available. 
• Check in with your primary care provider, as some may have vaccinations to distribute later on in the vaccination distribution process.
• The City of Gloucester has also partnered with agencies in the community that serve older adults who are conducting outreach to those individuals to schedule limited appointments at the Rose Baker Senior Center. While doses are limited at this time, the city will continue to offer appointments to residents 75-years-old and older as vaccine doses are provided by the state. To join a waitlist for the clinic at the senior center call 978-281-9765 ext. 12, or email esinagra@gloucester-ma.gov. 
  • There may be a clinic in the near future for those living in Senior Housing in Gloucester specifically.
• Cape Ann Veterans Services is currently working to schedule a clinic for older adults enrolled in the Gloucester Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient clinic (CBOC). Veterans will be contacted directly to schedule an appointment. 
  • The VA will contact Veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system directly to schedule the appointment
  • Those with questions regarding the Veterans Services clinic specifically can contact Cape Ann Veterans Services at 978-281-9740.

Please note, it may take several weeks to get an appointment at a location near you. As more vaccine supply arrives in Massachusetts, additional appointments will become available.

Older adults can call the Rose Baker Senior Center at 978-281-9765 ext. 12, or email esinagra@gloucester-ma.gov for assistance with appointments.  If you are a Gloucester resident 75-years-old or older and are currently a client of SeniorCare, you may also call 978-281-1750 with any questions about vaccine clinics.

“Unfortunately, we’re being told to expect significant supply limits of the vaccine for the coming weeks, and that means people are going to have to continue waiting,” Public Health Director Carroll said. “We are committed as a city to helping our residents who want vaccines get them as they become eligible. In the meantime, please reach out to the older adults in your life – family, neighbors, friends – and  help them navigate the appointment process.”

The general public is not anticipated to become eligible for the vaccination until April, at the earliest. To view the state’s vaccination distribution timeline, which is updated by the state regularly, click here. 

As of Sunday, there were 92 active cases of COVID-19 in Gloucester. Since the pandemic began, there have been 1,427 confirmed and 79 probable cases of . There have been 35 deaths in the city attributed to the disease. 

For the latest updates, visit the City of Gloucester’s website here, the Health Department’s Facebook Page @GloucesterMAHealthDepartment here and Mayor Romeo Theken’s Facebook Page @MayorSefatia here.          

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