New State Website Helps Find Open COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

The state is still tinkering with the vaccination process more than two months after starting it.

Massachusetts launched a new website Friday that aims to help simplify and expedite the process of finding and signing up for a COVID-19 vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccine finder allows residents to find their nearest vaccination site and schedule an appointment. People can also find vaccination sites by filtering through different kinds of site types, like retail pharmacies or local boards of health.

The website, which is not replacing the state's scheduling site, is another option — or layer, depending on how you view it — for older residents who are already finding it confusing to sign up for vaccination.

It doesn't show available appointments for all locations, and people still need to click through to the vaccination location's scheduling site to book appointments.

The state's 211 hotline is still available for people 75 and older who would rather make an appointment over the phone.

Massachusetts, which has been criticized for its choppy COVID-19 vaccination rollout, has been adjusting the process on the fly.

The hotline was put into place only last week following complaints about the initial process. This week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced someone who brings a person 75 or older to a vaccination appointment can also receive the shot, regardless of eligibility.