SALEM — The city of Salem, in partnership with the cities of Lynn, Peabody, and Beverly, and the towns of Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, Swampscott, and Danvers, has received approval from the state to host a regional COVID-19 vaccination clinic site at Salem State University’s O’Keefe Complex.
The dates and times for the clinic are still being determined and will be posted to the city’s vaccine resources page, www.salem.com/vaccine, when available.
Appointments can be scheduled through that link on the city website — under North Shore Regional Vaccination Clinic — and will be based on the availability of vaccine doses provided by the state.
Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said she is extremely grateful to the Baker-Polito administration and the state Department of Public Health (DPH) for approving the city’s application and to Salem State University for being willing to host it at the O’Keefe Complex, at 25 Canal St.
“As we work to expand access and equity in vaccine distribution, this regional clinic site will help to better serve the tens of thousands of North Shore residents who are in need of, and seeking, this critical vaccine,” Driscoll said. “We are stronger and safer as a region when we work to ensure the public health of all our residents.
“By providing access to the COVID vaccine, free of charge and to anyone — whether or not they have health insurance and regardless of immigration status — we can move closer to the day when this awful pandemic is finally over.”
Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee said he is excited for the opportunity to partner with several North Shore communities to offer the regional vaccination clinic to Massachusetts residents.
“I have been extremely proud of the amount of collaboration that has been achieved between North Shore leaders throughout the pandemic, and the vaccination clinic at Salem State University is another example of that,” McGee said. “Thank you to our partners at the state level for recognizing the need for a local, regional clinic and providing our communities with improved resources and accessibility to COVID vaccinations.”
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt also expressed his gratitude and said he is very pleased to be partnering with neighboring cities and towns to provide residents with another opportunity to receive the “life-saving COVID vaccine.”
Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree said Saugus will continue to prioritize the health and safety of its residents and look for ways to expand access to the vaccinations.
“We in Saugus are thrilled and grateful to partner with our North Shore cities and towns to offer a regional clinic for our residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccines,” Crabtree said. “Saugus is thankful to the Baker-Polito administration, Salem State University, and Mayor Driscoll for spearheading this regional collaboration.”
Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill sent out a special thanks to state Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and her team, all of whom he said have worked tirelessly with cities and towns throughout the state on all facets of its collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.
“This regional clinic is the result of a great partnership and strong advocacy from several communities and the outstanding work of our partners in the Baker-Polito administration,” Cahill said. “As tens of thousands of our North Shore residents still seek vaccine appointments, we are all very excited to be able to offer this clinic at Salem State.”
