Andover Gives 107 Shots —​ But Local Clinics Are Set To End

ANDOVER, MA — Andover had a successful first vaccine clinic Wednesday, administering 107 doses, Health Director Tom Carbone said.

But it could also be the last public clinic the town gets to hold, other than the second round for those vaccinated Wednesday— state officials announced Wednesday that they will be prioritizing mass vaccination sites, leaving out local boards of health like Andover's.

Many municipal officials around the state had already been complaining about how few doses they were getting. Promises of 100 doses per week, already seen as too few, went unmet.

Wednesday's announcement makes it official: Local boards of health, which had been organizing smaller clinics for town residents throughout the state over the past two months, were told they will no longer be receiving significant vaccine supply and should focus their efforts on outreach to residents who cannot travel to the bigger regional sites or are vaccine-hesitant.

"I am very disappointed and frustrated with the whole vaccine clinic rollout," Wilmington Health Director Shelly Newhouse told Patch. "Local boards of health have been preparing for events like this through our Emergency Preparedness duties for the past 15 years. Developing plans, attending trainings, participating in mock drills — all so we can initiate pandemic clinics like COVID.

In Andover, the first clinic "went very well," Carbone said.

"We were able to put 107 doses of vaccine into peoples’ arms today, and we have received positive feedback from the community that we served," Carbone said. "We look forward to March 17th, when we will give these same people their second dose of vaccine."

It was a team effort, the health director said.

"The clinic was successful because of the collaborative efforts of many municipal departments, including our Public Safety partners, Andover Public Schools, the Department of Public Works, our Facilities Department, and our Senior Center and Veterans’ Services staff," he said.

It's too soon to say what the new plan will mean for Andover, Carbone said.

"We are now assessing what this means for our community," he said. "Residents are encouraged to visit the state’s website and schedule an appointment as they become eligible to do so."

Town officials are still waiting to hear if they will receive a final shipment of first doses next week. They would likely get at most 100 doses.

The new state plan focuses on clinics that can use hundreds of doses of the vaccine per day, alongside retail pharmacies that get their supplies through the federal government. Nearby clinics can be found using vaxfinder.mass.gov or by calling 211 for assistance.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.