Lowell General Hospital and community groups provide vaccines for 1,000 people despite pause in Johnson & Johnson shots
By John R. Ellement and Lane Turner Globe Staff,Updated April 14, 2021, 1:44 p.m.
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Alysia Bryant wrote a message on the community wall as she left the vaccination site.Lane Turner/Globe Staff
LOWELL â A coalition of community groups and Lowell General Hospital pivoted quickly away from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Wednesday and pushed ahead with previously planned vaccines for 1,000 people using the Pfizer version of the key weapon in the battle against COVID-19.
The hospital collects its vaccines through the state system and was planning to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Wednesday for the 1,000 people who were not able, for a variety of reasons, to land an appointment using the online scheduling programs run by the state and some private companies, said Amy Hoey, chief operating officer of Lowell General.
The Board of Health will contact residents who have already received first doses through town-run clinics, in order to schedule their second dose.
A second-dose clinic is set for Feb. 25 at the Town Offices gymnasium, to administer 400 doses, Cohen said. A second-dose clinic was also held Feb. 18.
Cohen said, Our concerns are for those who are hard to reach and many do not feel comfortable going to a regional facility.
Cohen said the town is working with the Housing Authority to provide mobile vaccination clinics.
High demand
Everyone eligible in Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout,
those 75 and older,
and residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing.
Mark Schulert/Correspondent
WESTFORD The town has not received its order of coronavirus vaccines and town officials are growing frustrated.
“We have worked extraordinarily hard to try to get it, said Health Director Jeffrey Stephens, who gave an update at the Feb. 9 Select Board meeting. We have done all the things you’re supposed to do…We have a clinic set and ready to go.
When and if the vaccine doses arrive, Stephens said a clinic for eligible residents will take place at Nashoba Valley Technical High School.
Late notice on updates
The Cameron Senior Center is working to register residents as well, Stephens said.