Dunkin' Donuts Center Vaccine Site To Close

PROVIDENCE, RI — The mass vaccination site at The Dunkin' Donuts Center in Downtown Providence will close in the near future, according to reports. This comes as the state moves into a "new phase" of vaccine distribution, aimed at targeted approaches within communities.

Gov. Dan McKee announced the closure Monday.

“As the Governor mentioned earlier today, the vaccination site at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center will eventually be dismantled,” the governor’s office said in a statement. “More details on the timeline of related events are forthcoming.”

Appointments are still available for the site at VaccinateRi.org, and walk-ins are accepted.

The Dunk opened as a state-run, mass vaccine site in mid-February, capable of vaccinating thousands of Rhode Islanders per day. It is one of several mass vaccination sites run by the state, which also include Cranston, Middletown, South Kingstown and Woonsocket.

The announcement comes just a few days after McKee said the state has entered the "pick and shovel" phase of vaccine distribution, which will require getting on the ground in communities to reach residents who have been unable to get vaccinated at a large clinic or site, as well as those experiencing vaccine hesitancy.

"We've moved into the next phase of vaccine distribution, which means meeting people where they are," McKee said Thursday. "Business, churches, schools — we'll make it happen."

Read more:

• Rhode Island Enters '3rd Phase' Of Vaccine Distribution
• 'Cautiously Optimistic': RI Coronavirus Trends On The Decline
• 'We Will Come To You': RI Vaccine Clinics Head Into Communities