UMass Will Provide Additional Vaccination Appointments As State Increases Allocation Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: UMass News And Media

In partnership with Governor Charlie Baker’s administration, UMass Amherst announced today (1/29) that an increased allocation of coronavirus vaccine by the State will make additional appointments available next week at the university’s public COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

The new appointments will be added as adults 75 and over become eligible for vaccination as part of the Commonwealth’s Phase Two vaccine distribution. All eligible individuals must schedule an appointment in advance for the vaccine at www.umass.edu/coronavirus/vaccine. Registration for the additional appointments will be available starting at 11 AM on Monday, February 1. 

The vaccination clinic, launched January 11, is run by the University’s Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC). To date, the clinic has administered 2,500 vaccines. Next week, with an additional 800 doses now available from the State, the clinic plans to administer a total of 1,500 new vaccinations. UMass anticipates scaling up weekly operation of the clinic as supplies of the vaccine and capacity are available.

“We’re pleased to support the State’s commitment to accelerate the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines,” said Ann Becker and Jeff Hescock, co-directors of the PHPC. Hescock added, “This is a vital aspect of UMass Amherst’s commitment to public service in fighting the pandemic. We are devoting university resources to grow the public vaccination program, in addition to our community testing program and continued comprehensive testing of UMass students as we prepare for the start of the Spring Semester on February 1.”

He emphasized that the clinic is staffed through the invaluable assistance of the UMass College of Nursing, with nursing students providing critical support as the vaccination efforts expand.

The clinic is being conducted at the UMass Amherst Campus Center, 1 Campus Center Way. Free parking is available at the nearby Campus Center Parking Garage. Times and hours of the clinic will vary depending on vaccine availability and the state’s distribution plans. Please visit the university’s vaccine website for updates. Currently, the vaccine clinic is administering the Moderna vaccine, which includes two doses administered 28 days apart.