18 CVS Locations To Join COVID-19 Vaccination Effort

CVS locations across Massachusetts will next week begin administering thousands of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the federal government's effort to broaden vaccine accessibility.

Eighteen CVS locations here will distribute 21,600 doses of the vaccine. More locations and appointments will become available as vaccine supply increases.

CVS locations in the following cities and towns are participating: Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Chelsea, Holyoke, Hudson, Medfield, North Grafton, Palmer, Randolph, Seekonk, Sudbury, Watertown, Weymouth and Worcester.

Appointment-only vaccinations will begin Feb. 11 and bookings will be available as early Feb. 9. People will be encouraged to utilize an online scheduling tool.

Only residents eligible under state guidelines will be able to get the vaccine. Massachusetts this week started Phase Two of its plan, vaccinating people 75 and over. See who else will soon be eligible.

The Woonsocket, R.I.-based retail company is getting a quarter-million doses of the vaccine from the government through a pharmacy partnership program. CVS is offering the vaccine in 11 states to start.

"Our presence in communities across the country makes us an ideal partner for administering vaccines in a safe, convenient, and familiar manner," CVS Health President Karen S. Lynch said in a statement. "This is particularly true for underserved communities, which have been a focus for us throughout the pandemic."

The move will expand access for residents who have been frustrated about how and where to get vaccinated. Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to speak Wednesday at Fenway Park, one of the state's mass vaccination sites, on the state's efforts to get more people vaccinated.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Boston Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.