Mass Vaccination Sites Now Accepting Walk-Ins In Massachusetts
BOSTON (CBS) – It's now easier than ever to get a COVID vaccine in Massachusetts. Starting Monday, walk-ins are now welcome at the state's mass vaccination sites.
According to the state, no appointments are necessary at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, the Doubletree Hotel in Danvers, the former Circuit City in Dartmouth, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, and the Natick Mall.
CIC Health, which runs the Gillette Stadium site, said Monday they are also taking walk-ins during all operating hours.
For more information on walk-in hours, you can visit the state's vaccine finder website.
Kolanji Woods says he was hesitant to get vaccinated because he is distrustful of the government.
"I grew up in Alabama. We're afraid of you know, the government, Tuskegee incidents. I have sons. We talked about it," he said.
The Boston man ultimately walked into the Reggie Lewis Center on Monday because he hopes to visit his elderly grandmother in Alabama over the summer.
"It's better to have it and visit your family then not have it and get sick and kill someone," Woods said.
Bob Archambault's motivation to get vaccinated was his wife and his desire to travel. The Townsend man walked-in to receive his first shot at the Natick Mall mass vaccination site while his wife was getting her second shot.
"I just thought I didn't need it. But then she made me realize if I was going to fly, I needed the card," Archambault said.
Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens and stores like Walmart are also taking walk-ins.
The hope is that the convenience of not needing an appointment will encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Gov. Charlie Baker said his goal is to have 4.1 million residents fully vaccinated by the beginning of June.