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Here's How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine if You Live on Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard Hospital officials announced on Wednesday that they will hold three clinics next week to start vaccinating islanders eligible under phase 2 of the state's vaccination roll-out.

Residents who are 75 and older will be contacted by the hospital to make an appointment if they are registered patients with the hospital, while residents 75 and older not registered should set up an appointment through the mass.gov/vaccine website.

Hospital CEO Denise Sephici said during a press conference Wednesday that they will prioritize islanders 75 and older who have underlying health conditions.

The hospital estimates that there are about 5,000 residents on Martha's Vineyard that are part of the first section of the state's second vaccine phase. That includes residents 65 and older, as well as residents with co-morbidities. 

Shepici says that they have used an algorithm through their patient files to put seniors at the most risk for the coronavirus at the top of the line for vaccinations.

The hospital expects to receive just 370 doses of vaccine for three separate clinics scheduled for next week.

Shepici says it's unlikely healthy seniors will receive a shot during the first clinic Monday, but the hospital is ready once the supply becomes more available.

"We're gearing up to do about 500 shots a day for the clinic once we get more vaccine," she said. "I wish I had a timeline, but I just don't."

Residents who are eligible and are registered through the hospital’s online portal—Patient Gateway—will be contacted for a vaccination appointment. Residents who are not registered in Patient Gateway should sign up for a vaccine through Mass.gov

Meanwhile, vaccinations in Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout have so far gone smoothly.

All hospital workers eligible and who wanted the vaccine will have received their second dose by the end of the week. 

Nearly 300 first responders on Martha's Vineyard have received the first dose, and about 100 community providers such as dentists and physicians outside the hospital are expected to have received their first dose by the end of the week.

The hospital has held clinics this week for the remaining islanders eligible for the vaccine in the first phase, and have begun vaccinating patients at critical risk of dying from COVID-19.

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For more general information about getting the COVID-19 vaccine in the state, visit our explainer page

Sam Houghton left CAI in February, 2023, to become News Editor at the Martha's Vineyard Times.
He worked at CAI since the summer of 2017. Before that, he worked at the Falmouth Enterprise, where he covered local politics.