Marblehead To Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The Marblehead Council on Aging will host one of two public health COVID-19 vaccination clinics on the North Shore over the next two weeks as officials make a renewed effort for vaccinations and booster shots amid a surge in virus cases.

The Marblehead clinic will take place on April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Peabody Health Department will also host a clinic on May 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at its Council on Aging.

Both clinics will include Moderna vaccines and booster shots and are open to all North Shore residents.

Residents can check their eligibility here.

While cases remain relatively low compared to the spike of December and January, they have been steadily on the rise over the past month since schools and communities lifted nearly all remaining mitigation efforts.

MBTA transportation became the latest place where masks are optional this week.

"Effective immediately, wearing a mask on the T is now optional except for on The RIDE," the MBTA said on Monday. "The MBTA continues to follow CDC guidelines in encouraging people to wear face masks on public transit. Please respect your fellow passengers' decisions."

Gov. Charlie Baker once again on Thursday urged vaccinations and booster shots as the best way to protect yourself against severe outcomes from a COVID-19 infection.

"We obviously will comply with whatever the federal rules are," he said of the MBTA's decision. "Massachusetts has the highest vaccination rate in the country. We have one of the highest booster rates in the country. I can't say this enough: If you are not vaccinated, you should get vaccinated. If you are not boosted, you should get boosted.

"The evidence at this point about the power, the efficacy and the safety of the vaccines is overwhelming. I am incredibly grateful that the people of Massachusetts stepped up and worked hard to get vaccinated. That opportunity is something people should focus on and recognize and understand that if you have friends or family members who haven't gotten vaccinated or boosted there are hundreds of sites around the commonwealth where they can make it happen."

(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.)