Malden To Continue To Get Vaccines Despite Statewide Cutback

MALDEN, MA — Malden's vaccine supply will not be impacted by the state's effort to divert doses from local municipalities to mass vaccination sites and pharmacies. The city was one of 20 communities identified as having the greatest COVID-19 burden and highest percentage of non-white residents, where exceptions are being made.

These communities will continue to give out vaccines at the local level, are prioritized for the retail pharmacy program and are served by community health centers and other health care providers, state officials said.

In addition to Malden, Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield and Worcester were exempt.

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

"The big message we got from the pubic was: 'Vaccinate! Vaccinate!'" Gov. Charlie Baker said at his Wednesday news conference. "There's no question the fastest way to do this is with high-volume sites."