A COVID-19 mass vaccination site opened in Dartmouth on Wednesday, and patients said their appointments went smoothly.
Unlike the large public clinics on Cape Cod, the Dartmouth clinic is indoors. Patients are asked to wait in their cars until the time of their appointment.
Inside, the space felt a bit like an airport waiting area. Chairs were set up in rows and spaced for social distancing.
Mark Wilson of Yarmouth Port got the vaccine. He said appointments were running early and the process was “great.”
“Very organized,” he said. “The people were great inside there. They were personable. They got you where you needed to be and answered any questions you had.”
He waited about 15 minutes before getting the shot, plus the standard 15 minutes afterward to check for any allergic reaction.
Wilson said he got the appointment by going directly to the website for Curative, the private company running the clinic.
Louise Morgan came from Fall River to get the vaccine. She, too, said she was impressed.
“Very nice setup. They know what they're doing in there,” she said.
Blake Lackey, director of operations for Curative, said clinic hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. whenever doses are available.
Critics of the mass vaccination system have said it won’t reach some of the most vulnerable people, such as frail elders and those without cars.