Hotline Available Only to Those 75 Years Old and Older
The Dighton Board of Selectmen is pleased to share that the Baker-Polito Administration has created a 211 hotline for residents 75 years old and older to call for assistance with making vaccination appointments.
“We encourage any resident 75 years old and older who has had difficulties thus far using the state site to register for a vaccination appointment to utilize this new 211 hotline,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Brett Zografos said. “We also encourage residents to reach out to the Council on Aging if they need further assistance registering for appointments after contacting the 211 hotline. While we hope the 211 line alleviates any issues, our Council on Aging is here to support residents with any questions or concerns they may have regarding vaccination appointments.”
Residents 75-years-old and older became eligible for the vaccination on Monday, Feb. 1 through the state’s vaccination distribution plan. However, those without internet access and others have struggled to make appointments through the state’s online system.
The new 211 line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” The hotline is only available for residents 75 years old and older without internet access or who otherwise cannot use the appointment site, and will take calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Callers will be able to speak with a live representative who will help them find a nearby vaccination location and make an appointment. Translators will be available to help through the 211 line.
Residents should note that if there are no appointments available the caller will have an opportunity to put their name on a waitlist and be called back once an appointment at a nearby mass vaccination site is available. Appointments on the call-back waitlist will be made on a first come, first served basis.
Residents 75 years old and older with internet access should continue to seek an appointment online through the state’s website by clicking here. The nearest vaccination sites are at the Hannaford in Taunton or Walgreens in Somerset. Residents eligible for the vaccine are also advised to contact their local pharmacy and primary care provider to learn about any other potential opportunities available for vaccination. For additional information on local and regional vaccination sites, click here.
The Town of Dighton is working to secure vaccine doses to be able to host a local vaccination site in the near future, but do not yet know when this may take place. Once clinics are confirmed, details will be communicated to those eligible to receive the vaccine.
The next group to become eligible for the vaccination will be individuals 65 years old and older, those with two or more medical conditions that put them at a high risk for severe illness should they contract the disease, and residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing. The date for when these individuals will become eligible has not yet been announced by the state. The 211 hotline will also be available to these groups of individuals once they become eligible.
The vaccination is not expected to be available to the general public until April through the state’s vaccination distribution plan. To view the plan, click here.
Stay Informed about the Status of COVID-19 in Town
According to public health data released on Thursday, Feb. 11, the Town of Dighton’s designation remains at “Red,” indicating a “high risk” of spread in the community. The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Dighton is 39.6 per 100,000 residents, down from 47.8 the previous week.
Dighton officials report that there are currently 44 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. There have been a total of 589 cases in Dighton since the start of the pandemic.
Dighton residents with questions may additionally contact the Dighton Board of Health at 774-872-0943.
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