PEABODY —The city’s Public Health Department, in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, opened a mobile vaccination clinic at the Peabody Institute Library on Wednesday.
More than 50 people showed up at the clinic, where they received either their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or a booster shot. The operations of the clinic ran from 3 to 7 p.m.
Sharon Cameron, director of the health department, said the mobile vaccination site will continue to operate at these hours each Wednesday. She said the only requirement for patients is to be a resident of Massachusetts.
“This is open to any Massachusetts resident who is 5 years of age or older,” Cameron said. “There is no need for insurance information. They do not have to be part of the city of Peabody; it’s available to all.”
Cameron said she estimates the mobile vaccine clinic will be in operation until April, but said anything could change depending on the course of the pandemic.
Cameron said Mass General Brigham and the Public Health Department settled on the library for the vaccination site because it functions as a helpful landmark for people to go and receive their shots.
“We had a vaccination clinic at the Council on Aging, but we are phasing that out,” Cameron said. “We hope that this new vaccination site will meet the needs of people.”
Cameron said if the city sees a higher demand for vaccines, the Public Health Department will establish additional sites and clinics.
Mass General Brigham has been a crucial partner in the city’s efforts to vaccinate its residents. Some of its efforts have included setting up vaccination clinics at schools, concerts and community events. Cameron said that before the new library clinic, the city’s mobile vaccination site made stops at City Hall and Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.
She said she is glad the city can collaborate with the organization and hopes to continue doing so in the future.
“The city and the Department of Public Health have been collaborating with Mass General Brigham for months now,” Cameron said. “They have been great partners.”
