Governor Baker Appoints Jamey Tesler Acting DOT Secretary following MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack’s appointment to the Federal Highway Administration

 Governor Baker Appoints Jamey Tesler Acting DOT Secretary following MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack’s appointment to the Federal Highway Administration

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the departure of MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack, and appointed Jamey L. Tesler as Acting Secretary of Transportation. Secretary Pollack was announced today as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration for the Biden-Harris Administration. Secretary Pollack will also be acting Administrator until the confirmation by the United States Senate of a permanent Highway Administrator. Secretary Pollack will step down as MassDOT Secretary and CEO on Tuesday, January 26th and will assume her new federal position Wednesday, January 27th. 

 

Jamey Tesler, currently Registrar of Motor Vehicles, has years of experience across the Department of Transportation, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Procurement for MassDOT. Jamey also worked for the MBTA, Governor Jane Swift’s legal office and the Office of the State Treasurer.

 

“Stephanie has led MassDOT through many difficult challenges over the past six years; from the historic blizzards that exposed the problems of the MBTA, through saving the GLX project, instituting a data-driven Capital Improvement Plan, and guiding the RMV through a crisis last summer,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “She has provided MassDOT with stability and leadership through the last six years, serving longer than her three predecessors combined. She has allowed the agency to focus on long term efforts developing the FMCB and upgrading the MBTA’s infrastructure, service and customer relations and much more. We are so grateful for Stephanie’s service to the Commonwealth and congratulate her on her new appointment. I am confident that Jamey will step into this important role ready to lead on day one.”

 

“Stephanie has worked so hard for the communities of Massachusetts - the successes of the small bridge, complete streets, and more recent Shared Streets and Spaces program show the commitment to local infrastructure that has been a hallmark of MassDOT during her tenure,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Jamey has the right experience to continue that important work, and we are thankful he has volunteered, yet again, to help.”

 

“It has been a privilege to lead MassDOT’s exceptional team these last six years and to work with the MBTA’s senior leadership and the Fiscal and Management Control Board,” said Stephanie Pollack. “The Governor and Lt. Governor have my deepest gratitude for entrusting me with the stewardship of MassDOT and their leadership as transportation champions. Massachusetts has become a leader in delivering a transportation system that puts people first and provides them with safer and better choices for walking, biking, using transit, or driving and I am confident that Jamey will be able to continue that good work.”

 

“I am honored by the trust the Governor and Lt. Governor are placing in me,” said incoming Secretary Jamey Tesler. “Working with Secretary Pollack for most of the last five years has been a master class in transportation policy, and I am happy to be able to use that knowledge to continuing advancing the programs and policies we have been working on together for so long.”

 

Colleen Ogilvie, currently deputy Registrar and Chief Operating Officer, will serve as Acting Registrar.

美國總統拜登就職致詞原文

 

January 20, 2021   Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. As Prepared for Delivery The United States Capitol Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans.  This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day.  A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge.  Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. So now, on this hallowed ground where just days ago violence sought to shake this Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.    We look ahead in our uniquely American way – restless, bold, optimistic – and set our sights on the nation we know we can be and we must be. I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here.  I thank them from the bottom of my heart.  You know the resilience of our Constitution and the strength of our nation.  As does President Carter, who I spoke to last night but who cannot be with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime of service.  I have just taken the sacred oath each of these patriots took — an oath first sworn by George Washington.  But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On “We the People” who seek a more perfect Union. This is a great nation and we are a good people.  Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far. But we still have far to go.  We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and possibility. Much to repair. Much to restore. Much to heal. Much to build. And much to gain.  Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the one we’re in now. A  once-in-a-century virus silently stalks the country.  It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. A cry for survival comes from the planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear.  And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat. To overcome these challenges – to restore the soul and to secure the future of America – requires more than words.  It requires that most elusive of things in a democracy:  Unity. Unity. In another January in Washington, on New Year’s Day 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.  When he put pen to paper, the President said, “If my name ever goes down into history it will be for this act and my whole soul is in it.” My whole soul is in it. Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this:  Bringing America together.  Uniting our people.   And uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the common foes we face:  Anger, resentment, hatred. Extremism, lawlessness, violence. Disease, joblessness, hopelessness. With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome this deadly virus. We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care  secure for all. We can deliver racial justice. We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world. I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy.    I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know they are not new.  Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn us apart. The battle is perennial.  Victory is never assured. Through the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice, and setbacks, our “better angels” have always prevailed.  In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward. And, we can do so now.  History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.  And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America.  If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together. And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh. All of us. Let us listen to one another. Hear one another.  See one another. Show respect to one another. Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war. And, we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.  My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this.  America has to be better than this.  And, I believe America is better than this. Just look around. Here we stand, in the shadow of a Capitol dome that was completed amid the Civil War, when the Union itself hung in the balance.  Yet we endured and we prevailed. Here we stand looking out to the great Mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream. Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protestors tried to block brave women from marching for the right to vote.  Today, we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national office – Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can’t change.  Here we stand across the Potomac from Arlington National Cemetery, where heroes who gave the last full measure of devotion rest in eternal peace.  And here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work of our democracy, and to drive us from this sacred ground.  That did not happen. It will never happen. Not today.  Not tomorrow.  Not ever.  To all those who supported our campaign I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart.  And if you still disagree, so be it.  That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. And I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans.  I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did. Many centuries ago, Saint Augustine, a saint of my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love. What are the common objects we love that define us as Americans? I think I know. Opportunity. Security. Liberty.  Dignity. Respect. Honor. And, yes, the truth. Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders – leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation — to defend the truth and to defeat the lies. I understand that many Americans view the future with some fear and trepidation.  I understand they worry about their jobs, about taking care of their families, about what comes next. I get it.  But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you do, or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same sources you do.  We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.  We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility. If we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes just for a moment. Because here is the thing about life: There is no accounting for what fate will deal you.  There are some days when we need a hand.  There are other days when we’re called on to lend one. That is how we must be with one another. And, if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future.  My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we will need each other.  We will need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter.  We are entering what may well be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus.  We must set aside the politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation.  I promise you this: as the Bible says weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.  We will get through this, together The world is watching today.  So here is my message to those beyond our borders: America has been tested and we have come out stronger for it.  We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.  Not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s.   We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example. We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security. We have been through so much in this nation. And, in my first act as President, I would like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer to remember all those we lost this past year to the pandemic.  To those 400,000 fellow Americans – mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.  We will honor them by becoming the people and nation we know we can and should be.  Let us say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives, for those they left behind, and for our country.  Amen.  This is a time of testing.  We face an attack on democracy and on truth. A raging virus. Growing inequity. The sting of systemic racism. A climate in crisis. America’s role in the world. Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities.  Now we must step up.  All of us.  It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do. And, this is certain.  We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era.  Will we rise to the occasion?  Will we master this rare and difficult hour?  Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world for our children? I believe we must and I believe we will.  And when we do, we will write the next chapter in the American story.  It’s a story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me.  It’s called “American Anthem” and there is one verse stands out for me:  “The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?... Let me know in my heart When my days are through America America I gave my best to you.” Let us add our own work and prayers to the unfolding story of our nation. If we do this then when our days are through our children and our children’s children will say of us they gave their best.  They did their duty. They healed a broken land. My fellow Americans, I close today where I began, with a sacred oath. Before God and all of you I give you my word. I will always level with you. I will defend the Constitution. I will defend our democracy. I will defend America. I will give my all in your service thinking not of power, but of possibilities. Not of personal interest, but of the public good.  And together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. An American story of decency and dignity. Of love and of healing.  Of greatness and of goodness. May this be the story that guides us. The story that inspires us. The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived. That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow. So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time.  Sustained by faith.  Driven by conviction. And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.

陳秀惠推廣尼雅舞 要帶你跳出一段不同的人生

學生在陳秀惠練尼雅舞時捉住了一個老師的鏡頭。
(陳秀惠提供)

         (Boston Orange)簡單，優雅的動，就能讓人身體健康，思想清晰，情感舒暢，精神愉快? 大波士頓地區第一位台裔尼雅健身舞蹈(Nia Fitness)老師陳秀惠指出，"尼雅”還能幫助帕金森症患者改善症狀，她希望在大波士頓，甚至台灣推廣這舞蹈、運動。

 陳秀惠在大波士頓猶太社區中心擔任帕金森症舞蹈課老師，親眼看到帕金森症患者跳尼雅舞時，神情那麼快樂，心中非常感動。後來知道跳尼雅舞能幫助人在音樂中整合神經肌肉，於是希望更努力的讓更多人認識這看似簡單，卻對人們身心健康都有極大好處的”舞蹈”。 

從台灣來，目前住在波士頓郊區的陳秀惠，6歲就開始學芭蕾舞，上大學時期通過台灣教育部甄選加入青訪團，要到美國各個大學巡演，宣揚中華音樂舞蹈，因而在教育部安排下曾經跟隨雲門舞集林懷民學舞，開始接觸並喜歡上民族現代舞。只是後來移居美國，相夫教子，她的一身舞藝也就放下了。

陳秀惠在戶外排練尼雅舞。(陳秀惠提供)

2000年時，她走進Needham成人教育中心，首次接觸到尼雅舞，所有關於舞蹈的記憶，小時候母親接送她學舞的感情，一下子泉湧而出，也開始迷上尼雅舞。

到牛頓市的波士頓運動俱樂部繼續學的時候，教她的老師鼓勵她去拿尼雅教師證，做代課幫手，沒想到她就從此不斷晉階，到奧勒岡州(OR)波特蘭(Portland)尼雅總部受訓數次之餘，還從創辦人Debbie Rosas那兒學到更深層，融合東西方瑜珈，武術及禪修精神的尼雅舞內涵，也拿到了黑帶一級教師資格，成為尼雅舞在全世界49國的2500名尼雅舞教師之一。

 最近這幾年，陳秀惠每次回台灣，都積極推廣尼雅舞蹈操。她的青訪團好友，前衛生署副署長宋晏仁醫師還出了本書，「終身瘦用- 211全平衡瘦身法」，提及尼雅舞好處。在大波士頓，她也為慈濟功德會波士頓聯絡處，波士頓北一女校友會舉辦過免費課程。她還開了尼雅公益課 ，一邊提倡舞動健身，一邊回饋社區，為Needham鎮上的備餐間(food pantry)，耆英項目募款。 (僑務電子報授權轉載)

陳秀惠在疫情期間透過網路交尼雅舞。(周菊子攝)

波士頓教師工會支援殘障兒童論壇 1/26

波士頓教師工會(BTU)將於1月26日(週二)下午7點至8點半，在網上舉辦"支持殘障兒童(Supporting Students with Disabilities)”論壇，討論如何在家庭和教師間建立合作關係，在病毒大流行期間幫助殘障兒童。活動將有中文翻譯，報名網址為http:Familyforum。

會場將有中文翻譯

波士頓洪門致公堂首名女主席余麗媖連任第三年

波士頓洪門致公堂連任主席余麗媖(前右二)，湯偉立(前左三)，和前右起，阮偉昌，阮振牆，伍伯和，黃國威，梅少華等人出席2021就職典禮。
(波士頓洪門致公堂提供)

       (Boston)

洪門致公堂元老伍伯和(又二)，監堂阮振強(左二)監交印信，主席
余麗媖(右一)，湯偉立(左一)接受印信。(波士頓洪門致公堂提供)

波士頓洪門致公堂因為新冠病毒(COVID-19)疫情，未辦理改選，所有職員2021連任一年，使得波士頓洪門才剛於2019締造歷史，選出有史以來首名女主席余麗媖，今年又打破紀錄，讓這名女主席連任第3年。

         在疫情期間，所有社團活動都已減至最低程度，但為表示對洪門出任職員者的重視，波士頓洪門致公堂元老伍伯和，監堂阮振強等人，日前仍召集堂內主要幹部，但未邀外賓地舉行了簡單隆重的就職典禮。

             余麗媖指出，波士頓洪門致公堂作為社區內的龍頭組織之一，每年都捐款支持Boston Shriners Hospital，波士頓亞裔青年會(YES)，中華廣教學校等組織。去年他們還捐款支持紐英崙中華公所，波士頓華商會買口罩，捐贈給地方醫護機構及人員。所有這些服務僑社的活動，今年都將繼續。

右起，伍伯和，湯偉立，阮振強，余麗媖等人切金豬，敬告關公。
(波士頓洪門致公堂提供)

           洪門致公堂是美國歷史最悠久的華人社團之一，創立於1848年，在1911年黃花崗起義失敗，同盟會向海外求援時，曾合共捐助7萬美元，和中華民國可謂關係密切。

                        1904年孫中山到波士頓為反清革命募款時，在波士頓創立安良工商會的洪門大老司徒美堂不但親自接待，還為孫中山當了5個月保鏢兼廚師，曾安排孫中山在波士頓泰勒街上的洪門致公堂會所內住過。

家中一門四代都有洪門人的余麗媖指出，波士頓洪門致公堂和中華民國，也因此有著傳統淵源。她另補充說明，洪門沿襲歷史的組織架構，規矩很多，十分嚴明，不是任何人都可以加入洪門，或自稱洪門人的。

2020年底，舊金山洪門致公堂在Youtube上藉「粵講粵有理」的一輯「正本清源」視頻，澄清該堂和尹國駒所創辦的「世界洪門歷史文化協會」沒有關係。

余麗媖表示，波士頓地區也有人在傳閱這視頻，主要是為了澄清互無關係，說明洪門立場。

波士頓洪門致公堂的2021年主要幹部包括主席余麗媖、湯偉立，秘書陳國漢，財政林文健，外交張國威，理財阮偉昌，核數葉偉綱，康樂黎益置，幹事鄧安，洪清會長陳偉倫。

                         波士頓安良工商會會長伍輝民表示，由於疫情，該會今年也未辦理幹部改選，原班人馬連任，依序為會長陳文棟，伍輝民，幫辦黃國健，李天生，鄧北海，司徒炳思，書記方永康，財政陳文浩，外交阮鴻燦，黃立輝，庶務劉樹榮。(僑務電子報授權)

美國新冠病毒死亡人數打破40萬大關

 

麻州政府擴大疫苗施打 芬衛球場外 陸續增40家藥店做疫苗站

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)。檔案照片。

          (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州政府今日宣佈，將把新冠病毒疫苗站擴大到麻州每個社區的藥店，醫療服務提供者，以及第2個大型疫苗注射站去，以期疫苗施打的速度可每週以千計的增加。

              查詢麻州疫苗推出的基本標準，可上網https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-locations-for-individuals-currently-eligible-to-be-vaccinated。

              麻州政府表示，麻州藉著和全州各地的CVS Health及華格林(Walgreens)藥店合作，是全美各州首先推出聯邦疾病防治中心新冠病毒藥店合作-第一期的其中一州。本週開始將每週發送總額1萬劑的疫苗到至少15家CVS和華格林藥店去，供符合第一優先階段的民眾接種。

麻州疫苗注射時間表。

             

                          第一批的這15家藥店，分佈在Greenfield，秋河市(Fall River)，塞冷市(Salem)，南亞茅斯(South Yarmouth)，匹茲菲爾德(Pittsfield)，李市(Lee)，荷頓(Holden)，嘉納(Gardner)，海牙尼斯(Hyannis)，馬什皮(Mashpee)，梭莫塞(Somerset)，費爾海文(Fairhaven)，哈佛喜爾(Haverhill)，索格斯(Saugus)及丹佛斯(Danvers)等市鎮。

              符合第一階段資格者，即日起就可到前述地點的疫苗站接種疫苗。查詢可上網https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-locations-for-individuals-currently-eligible-to-be-vaccinated。

              1月25日起再增加40個施打疫苗站。合作夥伴將包括Wegmans，Big Y，Price Chopper，Stop & Shop，以及Hannaford等這些超市或商店。

              麻州政府還宣佈芬衛球場(Fenway Park)將繼吉列體育館(Gillette Stadium)之後，成為麻州的第2個大規模疫苗站。芬衛球場將從2月1日起開始，每天為符合第一階段資格的500人施打疫苗，然後逐步增加到每日1000人。聯邦疾病防治中心醫療人員將和貝斯以色列女執事醫療中心(Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)合作，為民眾施打疫苗。這個疫苗站估計會一直開到四月中。麻州政府也在和波士頓市府商量，在波士頓找個地方做長期的疫苗注射站。

              吉列體育館已從今日開始每日為1000人注射疫苗，目標是每日5000人。指揮中心正在確認另外幾個大型疫苗注射站。

              麻州政府也宣佈，之前為第一線工作人員施打疫苗的麻州大學安赫斯特分校(Amherst)，將擴大疫苗注射服務，以便也能立即為符合第一階段資格的民眾施打疫苗。這個地點主要是為麻州西部民眾服務。這個疫苗站的預約網址為https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/vaccine。

              指揮中心正在和麻州醫療協會(Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) )，以及麻州布瑞根總醫院(Mass General Brigham (MGB))合作，監管這一項目。在此計畫下，麻州每個地區的醫院都是一個疫苗站。

              參加這計畫的醫院包括麻州布瑞根總醫院，羅倫斯總醫院，Signature Brockton Hospital，麻州大學紀念醫療中心(UMass Memorial Medical Center)，灣州醫療中心(Baystate Medical Center)，以及伯克夏爾醫療中心(Berkshire Medical Center)。

              為加速符合第一階段資格民眾接種疫苗速度，麻州政府推出醫院站點計畫(Hospital Depot Initiative)。這計畫將容許獨立作業的醫生，取得疫苗，照第一階段優先準則，為民眾施打疫苗。

              目前在第一階段下符合施打疫苗資格者，包括直接面對照顧新冠病毒患者的診所及非門診醫護工作人員，長照機構，頤養院及輔助居住場所，第一線工作人員(急救員，消防員，警察等)，還有集體護理場所(包括監獄及庇護所)。

Baker-Polito Administration Launches COVID-19 Vaccine CDC Pharmacy Partnership - Phase 1, Expands Vaccine Locations & Names Fenway Park as Mass Vaccination Site

Command Center Announces New Vaccine Sites to Administer Several Thousands More Shots Per Week Statewide

 

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the expansion of more vaccine locations in each region of the Commonwealth at pharmacies, health care providers and a second mass vaccination site to boost the capacity to administer vaccines per week by the thousands. The Commonwealth will continue to add more vaccination sites throughout Massachusetts. Information on available sites will be available on a rolling basis here. 

 

First, the Administration announced that Massachusetts will become one of the first states in the nation to launch the COVID-19 CDC Pharmacy Partnership - Phase 1 with CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies located throughout the Commonwealth. Starting this week, this program will deliver a total of 10,000 doses to at least 15 CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies a week for eligible residents in the Phase One priority groups.  

 

Second, the Administration announced that Fenway Park will become the state’s second mass vaccination site, joining Gillette Stadium. The ballpark will open on February 1^st to start administering up to 500 vaccines per day to eligible residents in the Phase One priority groups.

 

Next, the Administration also announced that UMass Amherst will expand their vaccination site to provide inoculations for eligible residents in Phase One priority groups. UMass Amherst has been providing vaccines to first responders, and plans to now offer vaccines to all eligible residents in Phase One priority groups immediately. 

 

Finally, to increase vaccine access for Phase 1 eligible priority groups, the Baker-Polito Administration is launching the Hospital Depot Initiative. This new program will facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccine for independent physician practices prioritized under Phase 1. 

Current eligible groups under Phase 1 include: Clinical and non-clinical health care workers doing direct and COVID-facing care; Long term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilities; First responders (EMS, Fire, Police); and Congregate care settings (including corrections and shelters).

 

CDC Pharmacy Partnership - Phase 1

 

Massachusetts will be among the first states to activate retail pharmacy vaccination at scale through select CVS Health and Walgreens, which will start inoculating eligible residents in Phase One priority groups by appointment.

 

Starting this week, at least 15 CVS Health and Walgreens, located in areas of the state where there is currently less access to convenient vaccine sites, will receive a total of 10,000 vaccines to administer this week. The first 15 locations are located in Greenfield, Fall River, Salem, South Yarmouth, Pittsfield, Lee, Holden, Gardner, Hyannis, Mashpee, Somerset, Fairhaven, Haverhill, Saugus and Danvers. Eligible residents in Phase One priority groups can view sites and book an appointment today by clicking here.

 

Approximately 40 vaccination sites will be added the week of 1/25 through current partners and collaboration with additional partners (Wegmans, Big Y, Price Chopper, Stop & Shop, Hannaford). Massachusetts expects to increase vaccine volume through retail pharmacies in the coming weeks. The Command Center will provide more details as pharmacy partners and sites come online.

 

Fenway Park Named as Second Mass Vaccination Site

 

Fenway Park will be the state’s second mass vaccination site and will open on February 1^st.  Initially, the ballpark is scheduled to administer 500 vaccines per day by appointment and will ramp up to providing 1,000 vaccines per day soon to eligible residents in Phase One priority groups. CIC Health will operate the site, with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, as the medical director.

 

The site is expected to stay open through the beginning of baseball season in early April. The Command Center is also working with the City of Boston to identify and set up a longer-term vaccine site in Boston.

 

Last week, the Administration announced Gillette Stadium as the first mass vaccination site, which opened for eligible Phase One groups yesterday. This week, the site is expected to work up to administering over 1,000 vaccinations per day, and soon after, 5,000 vaccinations per day. Eligible residents in Phase 1 priority groups can book an appointment at Gillette Stadium by clicking here.

 

The Command Center is finalizing plans for several other mass vaccination sites.

UMass Vaccination Site Expansion

 

Beginning today, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst has expanded their role to administer COVID-19 vaccines, providing vaccinations for all eligible groups in Phase One of the state’s distribution plan. This high capacity site will serve eligible groups in the Western Mass area.

 

Appointments for the UMass Amherst vaccination site can be booked here.

 

Hospital Depot Initiative

 

To increase vaccine access for residents in eligible Phase 1 priority groups, the Baker-Polito Administration is launching the Hospital Depot Initiative.

 

This new program will facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines for independent COVID-facing physician practices prioritized under Phase 1. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center and DPH, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) and Mass General Brigham (MGB), is managing this initiative starting with COVID-facing health care workers.

 

Under this initiative, hospitals serving each region of the state have been identified as a depot to assist the Commonwealth with its vaccination distribution efforts. For clinical practices that are unable, due to their staff size and storage capacity, to receive larger, direct allocations of vaccine, a depot hospital will receive doses on their behalf and redistribute vaccine and all ancillary materials for office-based vaccination. In some cases, the hospital will provide direct vaccination to health care workers. The Massachusetts Medical Society is managing communications and coordination with physician practices.

 

Participating hospitals include:

 

Mass General Brigham, Lawrence General Hospital, Signature Brockton Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Baystate Medical Center and Berkshire Medical Center. To learn more about this program, click here.