VACCINATION
(Updated 03/30/21)
We have assembled a brief guide below that we hope will help you find a convenient appointment for vaccination as easily as possible.
Check if you are eligible for vaccination here. Phase 3 eligibility for the general public is slated to begin 04/19/21.
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-If you're ok with going to a mass vaccination site (like the Eastfield Mall in Springfield), then a good place to start is pre-registration. This will sign you up for frequent status updates on appointment availability.
-If you live in Northampton-area Hampshire county and want to be vaccinated at the Northampton Senior Center, visit this website to see the available clinics. They also have an Extra Vaccine Standby List that you can sign up for to receive notifications about end-of-day surplus appointments.
-If you want to be vaccinated through a local hospital, you can check Baystate Health Holyoke and Mercy Medical Center Springfield. If you are a patient of Mass General Brigham (e.g. of Cooley Dickinson), make sure you have an active patient gateway, through which MGB will be reaching out to eligible patients individually.
-The state has released its own vaxfinder tool, which includes a zip code search feature. Although less comprehensive, we have found this independently developed macovidvaccines tool to be the most convenient way to locate an available appointment at select vaccination centers. Among other vaccination sites, Franklin County residents can look out for clinics at the Greenfield Senior Center at Tree House brewing in South Deerfield, and at Mohawk Regional High School in Shelburne Falls; and Eastern Hampshire County residents can look out for clinics at Amherst Regional High School.
-If you want to be vaccinated through a local pharmacy, Big Y, Stop & Shop, and CVS are offering a host of clinics throughout Western Massachusetts. Scheduling through these avenues is apparently less user friendly than alternatives. The CDC recommends using their vaccine finder tool but as of 3/30/21 we have found this tool to be unhelpful in locating available appointments.
-If you are eligible for vaccination but are having a hard time finding an appointment, you can visit macovidvaxhelp to find assistance from volunteers.
-If you know someone 75+ that needs to be vaccinated and either struggles with computers or does not have internet access, you can also direct them to call 211 and select option 2, where a receptionist will assist them with scheduling an appointment for vaccination. Alternatively, call your local Department of Public Health's (DPH) dedicated COVID line. They will return your call within 2 business days to help you schedule an appointment for vaccination. For Northampton area: 413-587-1219. For Amherst area: 413-259-2425. For Easthampton: 413-529-1400 ext 430. To get help finding transportation to a vaccination clinic, call your local Council on Aging.
STAY CURRENT ON COVID
Visit our news section to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and vaccination. Learn how to effectively quarantine and self-isolate during the pandemic with the Massachusetts Department of Health.
FAQ
Please take a moment to review these FAQ regarding Covid Vaccine from New England Journal of Medicine
