Providence Extends Vaccine Eligibility To Hard-Hit Neighborhoods

PROVIDENCE, RI — The City of Providence announced Tuesday that it has extended COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to more residents who live in hard-hit neighborhoods.

Residents ages 50 and older who live in zip codes 02904 and 02905 are now eligible to sign up for vaccine appointments at upcoming clinics.

"I want to commend the Rhode Island Department of Health for granting our request to expand prioritized vaccination efforts targeting our residents hardest hit by COVID-19,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in a statement. “We will continue to work with our local clinics and partners who are doing tremendous work to equitably and efficiently enroll and vaccinate our residents.”

Vaccine clinics managed by the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will continue to be open to all Providence residents ages 65 and older and will now include those who are 50 and older and live in zip codes 02904, 02905, 02907, 02908 and 02909.

“I am glad to see the expansion of the vaccines to include 02904 and 02905 zip codes. We must do everything we can to get as many people 50+ vaccinated, especially those in multi-generational households, and that are part of our historically marginalized communities,” said Providence City Council President Sabina Matos in a statement. “I now hope that we can also work to address the issues of vaccinating residents with co-morbidities and underlying health conditions."

Eligible residents are encouraged to sign up through vaccine appointments through the city's online portal or by calling the Mayor's Center for City Services by dialing 311 or 401-421-2489.

Vaccine appointments are available on a first-come-first-serve basis at no cost and regardless of immigration status, said the city.