Chelmsford Vaccine Clinics Canceled Amid New State Rollout Plan

CHELMSFORD, MA — There will be no local town-run coronavirus vaccination clinic in Chelmsford, thanks to several significant changes to the state vaccination rollout plan, the town announced Friday.

"Based on the decision by the State of Massachusetts, the Chelmsford Board of Health will no longer receive COVID-19 vaccine to administer first round doses," the health department said.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday the state would be funneling more resources toward its largest vaccination sites at the expense of community-focused ones.

Those who received their first doses through the Chelmsford Board of Health already, will be contacted directly by the Board of Health to schedule their second dose appointment if not already scheduled, according to the health department.

Chelmsford has announced clinics twice and twice within the hour they have been booked, highlighting the race to vaccinate.

Despite preparing for clinics, the health department has stressed it is overwhelmed.

"Please do not call the Chelmsford Board of Health for assistance with scheduling a vaccine due to limited staff resources and overwhelming demand," department officials said.

Nationwide, vaccine demand has been higher than supply. Baker said the feds have promised the state more doses and that some 70,000 appointments were set to go online at mass vaccination sites Thursday before the website crashed. It was up and running within the next day.

Although that news of relocating resources to bigger sites is frustrating for many towns and cities, it came with the more hopeful news that the state was opening up the eligibility to seniors 65 and older and those with at least two health concerns.

Still, with limited supply of the vaccine, Baker cautioned it could take up to one month for all newly eligible residents to get a first-dose appointment.

Mass vaccination sites:

• Boston: Fenway Park
• Foxborough: Gillette Stadium
• Danvers: Doubletree Hotel
• Lowell: Lowell General

Local sites:

• Lowell: Lowell Senior Center
• Dracut: Hannaford

Or see: COVID-19 Vaccine Availability | Mass.gov

Those that are unable to access appointments via the internet can call 2-1-1 and follow the prompts for vaccine appointments.