Lawrence kicks off Summer Series vaccine clinics

LAWRENCE, Mass. — The city of Lawrence kicked off the first of its ‘Summer Series’ clinics on Saturday, geared toward helping residents in low-vaccinated neighborhoods get their COVID shots.

The clinic was held at O’Connell South Common.

“I just wanted to see what the reaction would be on other people before I decided to get the shot,” said Carmen Carrillo, a Lawrence resident who received her vaccination.

She said that the highly-contagious delta variant is what persuaded her to get it done.

“Delta is a little bit different than the regular COVID, which I had back in March,” she said. “I’ve got to take care of myself as well as my family.”

According to the city of Lawrence, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson are all being offered during the Summer Series.

“People are hesitant to get vaccinated and that’s okay, we’re here to educate and educate until you do feel comfortable to get vaccinated, and people do,” said Jaime Severino, a COVID vaccination manager at the clinic.

According to the latest state data on Saturday, about 60.56 % of Essex County is fully vaccinated.

The state average on Saturday was listed as 64%.

Healthcare workers in Lawrence say they are now hitting the pavement to continue vaccine education; some even going door to door to offer shots.

“All these efforts are working. Our vaccination percentages of people vaccinated are going up, and that’s awesome,” said Severino.

Severino added that vaccines will soon be offered outside of local nightlife venues to target a younger age demographic.

The next Summer Series clinics are as follows:

August 7: O’Connell South Common

August 21: Parthum School (Prospect Hill)

September 4: BGCL/Water Street (Lower Towerhill)

September 18: Cronin Park (Arlington Neighborhood)

The next nightlife venue vaccine clinics, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., are as follows:

August 13: Vaka

August 14: Blue Lounge

August 28: Terra Luna

September 6: Attika

For more information about the Summer Series clinics, click here.

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