Adult COVID-19 booster clinic hours extended Saturday; pre-registration required

Published Thursday, November 11, 2021

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The North Reading Health Department’s COVID-19 adult booster clinic scheduled for Saturday, November 13 has been extended by an additional three hours due to an additional allotment of 90 more vaccine doses than previously anticipated.

The clinic will now be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymnasium at the North Reading Town Hall, 235 North St.

As the Transcript was going to press, Health Director Bob Bracey stated that adults who were previously unable to register for a slot to receive their booster shot should go to the following link to register: https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule=northreadingcovidboosterclinics

“Also, be advised that the Health Department is currently working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to coordinate additional COVID-19 pediatric and adult booster vaccination clinics for the month of November,” Bracey stated.

“Back in February through May 2021, residents who received a COVID-19 vaccination at either the North Reading Town Hall or the Hillview Country Club may be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccination,” Bracey told the Transcript.

Booster shot eligibility

COVID-19 Booster shots will be available to residents who meet the following eligibility requirements based on the guidelines below:

A single booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to individuals:

•  65 years of age and older

• 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19

• 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Those who are not sure if they meeting these eligibility requirements should visit the commonwealth’s website for additional information: mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-booster-frequently-asked-questions and click on the COVID-19 Booster eligibility checker.

The Health Department will be holding the following COVID-19 vaccination booster clinics:

• Friday, November 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at North Reading Town Hall, 235 North St.

• Saturday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Reading Town Hall, 235 North St.

Bracey stressed that “pre-registration is required due to capacity limits, therefore no walk-in’s will be accepted at these clinics.”

He added that “adult appointments booked using the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination link on the Health Department website will not be honored.”

For Adult booster doses please use the following link on the Vaxinate Rx website — https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule=northreadingcovidboosterclinics

Vaxinate Rx is the firm that has partnered with the town to run its clinics. According to Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, town officials have been very satisfied with the clinics run by this company on behalf of the town, noting that they have been run very efficiently. He added that the registration process allows just one appointment to be scheduled every five minutes which ensures that people waiting for their vaccination can be safely spread apart and not spend time waiting in long lines.

Bracey also noted that North Reading residents can still get an influenza, adult and pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations or COVID-19 booster shots at the following North Reading pharmacies: CVS Pharmacy, 18 Main Street; Walmart, 72 Main Street; or Walgreens, 158 Main Street.