Four Central Mass. cities part of state's targeted vaccine program
Photo | Grant Welker
Worcester City Hall
Four cities in Central Massachusetts have been chosen among 20 across Massachusetts to be part of a new statewide program to help with coronavirus vaccinations in underserved communities.
The cities chosen — Fitchburg, Framingham, Leominster and Worcester — are Central Massachusetts' four largest by population, and each includes low-income populations that public health officials have targeted for vaccinations. Many in those communities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which announced the program Tuesday, said it will invest resources directly in the 20 cities and towns to increase awareness of the vaccine's safety and effectiveness and to reduce barriers to residents getting vaccinated. As part of the program, $1 million is being given to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, whose members typically serve high-need patients.
The DPH will assist each community by helping to coordinate care with local boards of health, community health centers, and community and faith-based organizations, among others. Campaign materials conveying the safety of the vaccinations will be dispersed in multiple languages to reach the broadest number of people.
State officials chose the 20 cities and towns by factoring in, among other criteria, the highest coronavirus case rates and highest rates of minority populations.
Massachusetts has generally lagged other states in doling out vaccinations and has weathered criticism for moving too slowly or prioritizing some portions of the population over others. The DPH said Tuesday that Massachusetts is now in the top 10 among states in shots given per capita.
Nearly 1.2 million doses statewide have been administered through Tuesday, according to the DPH, including more than 300,000 who've received both required doses.
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