Gov. Baker Backs Danvers Mass Vaccination Site's Merits

DANVERS, MA – Gov. Charlie Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders promoted the speed and efficiency of the Danvers mass coronavirus vaccination site on Wednesday as the state opened up vaccine eligibility to those accompanying someone 75 years old or older to a mass vaccination site appointment.

Starting this week, caregivers and companions of those with a spot at the Danvers DoubleTree Hotel site will be able to make their own appointment for a vaccine regardless of their eligibility status.

"We learned that some people might be hesitant to go to a mass vaccination site without a relative or a caregiver," Baker said following a tour of the Danvers facility. "The mass vaccinations sites will make every effort to vaccinate both at the same time."

While North Shore officials have argued individual communities should be given more supply to set up their own vaccination sites for residents at schools and senior centers as Peabody did this week, with Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott pooling their supply for a regional site at Salem State University, Baker indicated that the mass vaccination sites and pharmacies will continue to be the main distribution centers for the vaccine until supply greatly increases.

"With the limited amount of doses we have and the incredible pressure we are under to get as many doses into people's arms as we possibly can as quickly as possible, following what has proved to be most successful in most other places in the country is to use very big sites to push big numbers (of shots)," Baker said.

New appointments for the Danvers site are made available each Thursday with Baker saying that 53,000 appointments for next week will be posted across the state's now-seven mass vaccination sites this Thursday.

"We continue to add capacity through these mass vaccination sites," Baker said, "which are obviously high-output locations where vaccine can be administered quickly and efficiently."

Sudders said the ability to bring a caregiver or companion should help ease concerns from some age 75 or older that the large sites are confusing or inaccessible.

"The idea of a mass vaccination site may seem daunting," Sudders said. "Getting vaccinated in tandem may bring an extra level of comfort."

She urged those 75 and older only to book appointments with "trusted" caregivers or companions.

"Don't accept calls from someone you do not know or do not trust to accompany you to the vaccination program," she said.

Sudders advised not to arrive early for a mass vaccination site appointment — your spot will not be given away — and wait in the car until 15 minutes before the appointment.

"We understand there are some concerns about lines at mass vaccination locations," she said. "We strive to offer a no-line experience and (that’s why) we encourage people to not come early for their appointments. It is possible there might just be a wait."

Sudders said she will use a mass vaccination site when it is her turn for the shot.

"It's easy, fast and efficient," she said of the sites. "They are good at it because that's all they do."

There was some initial concern about the Curative-run sites — Danvers, Springfield and the new Dartmouth site — early when those being vaccinated weren't being booked for a second appointment at the time of the first shot, but that has since changed.

The National Guard will also assist with logistics in Springfield after some seniors at that site were left out in the cold waiting for shots this week.

"If you look at the performance across the country the states that have done the best job getting shots in people's arms are the states with the big sites," Baker said.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: State To Vaccinate Those Accompanying 75+ Residents To Mass Sites

Peabody To Host Coronavirus Vaccination Clinics

Salem State Regional Vaccination Site Dates Added This Week

Peabody Mayor To State: Let Us Vaccinate Our Residents