UMass Memorial forced to pause new vaccine appointments for 2-3 weeks

Photo | Courtesy | Mercantile Center A UMass Memorial Health Care vaccination site at Worcester's Mercantile Center

Write a Comment

By Grant Welker

UMass Memorial Health Care is temporarily stopping new appointments for COVID-19 vaccines for patients because of a dose shortage, with the announcement to staff on Friday coming less than a week after the Worcester hospital system opened a patient vaccine center at the Mercantile Center.

Dr. Eric Dickson, UMass Memorial's president and CEO, said in a staff advisory it won't be booking any new appointments at any patient vaccine clinics for two to three weeks. The decision came after talks with state officials and leaders of other health care systems in Massachusetts, he said, with Gov. Charlie Baker giving priority to patients who have already booked appointments.

UMass Memorial began vaccinating its own healthcare workers in December, and more recently began vaccines with its patients, starting with those 75 and older. One location at the Mercantile Center opened Monday. Appointments for staff first-dose vaccines are also being paused.

"We fully expect this to be a temporary situation," Dickson said. "Health care systems want the same outcome that the governor wants – which is the orderly, equitable and expeditious vaccination of patients and residents here in Massachusetts."

In a message to patients, UMass Memorial on Friday afternoon urged seeking a vaccine at another location as soon as possible.

"We recognize this news may leave you feeling frustrated," it said. "Please know our caregivers stand at the ready to resume our program as soon as the doses are once again made available."

More broadly, the public will have an opportunity to get vaccinated starting Tuesday at Worcester State University's fitness center. Vaccines there will be available only to those currently authorized for vaccines and by appointment only. The Natick Mall was also announced by state officials this week as the newest large-scale public vaccination site starting Feb. 22.

UMass Memorial's announcement comes as the state's vaccination plan, which has been under criticism for its slow speed, has begun picking up the pace of vaccinations.

Through Thursday, 987,774 doses have been distributed, including 239,230 who've received both required sets of doses, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. More than 1.4 million doses have been shipped to the state, including more than 1.1 million shipped to health providers, according to the state.

The Belford Center for Science and International Affairs on Monday gave Massachusetts an F rating for its per-capita vaccination rate.