Town Administrator Michael Mullen and Health Agent Todd Pilling would like to share the latest information regarding the Town of Dighton’s ongoing efforts to identify homebound residents for state’s COVID-19 vaccination program, and share COVID-19 pre-registration information.
As part of the Commonwealth’s In-Home Vaccination Program, the state will administer COVID-19 vaccines to homebound residents without them having to leave their homes. Homebound residents are defined as individuals who need an ambulance or assistance from at least two people to get to a routine medical appointment.
The Dighton Board of Health, alongside various town departments, is currently registering eligible homebound residents in Dighton to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the State In-Home Vaccination Program.
To be registered, residents should contact the Dighton Board of Health at 774-872-0941. The Board of Health will determine if individuals meet the eligibility requirements, and then register the individual for the State In-Home Vaccination Program. Residents should note that it will take several weeks for an in-home appointment to be available.
“We’re asking for the help of all Dightonians to identify homebound family members, neighbors and residents throughout the community,” Town Administrator Mullen said. “We encourage residents, caregivers and neighbors to contact the Board of Health so we can provide the state with accurate information regarding the needs of Dighton residents.”
State’s Vaccine Pre-registration Program
The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced a new sign-up tool for the state’s seven mass vaccination sites. The system, which launched March 12, is designed to help make it easier to request and book an appointment at these sites when they are available.
To pre-register:
- Eligible residents can complete the online form at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to request to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site nearby.
- After completing the form, residents will get a confirmation via their preferred method of contact (text, e-mail, phone) and receive a weekly update about their status. Residents may opt out of pre-registration at any time if they secure an appointment elsewhere.
- When an appointment becomes available at a mass vaccination site, the resident will be notified and will have 24 hours to accept the appointment once it is offered. If an appointment is not accepted after 24 hours, the resident will go back into the queue to wait for another appointment.
The state’s 211 line also remains available for those without internet access or who have difficulty using the internet to participate in the pre-registration process.
The 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 eligible for the vaccine without internet access or who otherwise cannot use the appointment site, and takes calls Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Translators will be available to help through the 211 line. Callers will be able to speak with a live representative who will help them find a nearby vaccination location and make an appointment. For more information about the 211 line, click here.
Available appointments will be offered to residents based on their vaccine eligibility and the availability of appointments at mass vaccination sites nearby. At this time, this program is only for the state’s mass vaccination sites. More mass vaccination sites are expected to be added to the pre-registration system in April.
Dighton residents with questions may additionally contact the Dighton Board of Health at 774-872-0943.
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