NEWS

Rhode Island transitioning to 'community located COVID-19 vaccination sites'

Sockanosset vaccine site in Cranston slated for closure

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Saturday, Dec. 18, will the last day to get a jab at Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston, as COVID-19 rates surge in the Ocean State, and Rhode Island transitions to new strategies for fighting the virus.

“Responding to the public request for COVID-19 vaccination sites that are closer to home, Rhode Island will be running approximately 100 COVID-19 vaccination clinics in settings such as schools, churches, senior centers, and many other community sites over the next month,” according to a press release from the state’s Department of Health. “These clinics are in addition to the vaccination opportunities in pharmacies and the offices of many primary care providers.”

The list of community clinics can be found at: covid.ri.gov/vaccination.

“COVID-19 booster doses are available at many of these clinics,” according to DOH. “All Rhode Islanders who are 18 and older and who completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series should get a booster dose. (If you got Pfizer or Moderna for your primary series, you can get a booster dose at least six months later. If you got Johnson & Johnson for your primary series, you can get a booster dose at least two months later.)”

As the strategy shifts, “operations at Rhode Island’s remaining state-run and municipal-run vaccination sites will wind down,” according to the DOH.

Sockanosset Cross Road, at 100 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, will cease regular operations Dec. 18, and the final day for “regular operations at the East Providence vaccination site (585 Taunton Avenue, East Providence) will be Dec. 29.”

“The vaccination site at Sockanosset has administered approximately 211,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since opening in January 2021, and the East Providence site has administered approximately 21,000 doses since opening in May 2021,” according to the DOH. “Vaccination provides protection against serious COVID-19 illness. Pairing vaccination with other prevention measures, such as testing, masking, ventilation, and physical distancing, is key to preventing COVID-19 transmission in Rhode Island.”

Rhode Island launched state-run and municipal-run vaccination sites, like those in East Providence, Cranston, Middletown, and Providence (at the Dunkin Donuts Center) “early in the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out to support a surge in demand and to help vaccinate as many Rhode Islanders as possible as quickly as possible,” according to the DOH.

“Similar to planned shifts in testing strategy, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s vaccination strategy is focused on supporting vaccination at the local level and returning some of these activities to pre-pandemic providers,” according to a DOH press release. “ Since Oct. 1, retail pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Stop & Shop have administered approximately 65% of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Rhode Islanders. Pharmacies continue to be extremely important partners in vaccine administration and will play a significant role moving forward.”

Smaller, private pharmacies also provide vaccines, boosters and COVID-19 testing. The Atwood Pharmacy, 1302 Atwood Ave., Johnston, will provide shots and tests to walk-ins.

“All COVID-19 vaccination options will continue to be available at C19VaccineRI.org,” according to the DOH. “Schedules and appointments for these vaccination sites will continue to be available at vaccinateRI.org. Rhode Islanders can continue to call the COVID-19 information line (401-222-8022) or 2-1-1 for information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.”

COVID-19, vaccination sites

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