The New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell was joined by U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Bill Keating and members of both the City Council and state legislative delegation announced the establishment of a waterfront vaccination center for essential seafood workers.
The site will be located at the former Environmental Protection Agency’s Dewatering Facility, recently turned over to the New Bedford Port Authority by the EPA.
It will launch in the coming weeks with additional vaccine supply and through a partnership with the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center.
The waterfront vaccination center will be operated as a partnership between the City and the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, which will staff the vaccination site.
“New Bedford’s essential seafood processing workforce plays a vital role in feeding the United States and distributing seafood from America’s top commercial fishing port,” Mayor Mitchell said. “It is critical that we continue to do everything we can to keep essential workers safe and support the equitable distribution of vaccines.”
The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center recently received an award of nearly $4 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of the American Rescue Plan to support its work, including direct receipt of vaccine, which makes possible the operation of this site.
“I am grateful to Senator Warren, Senator Markey, and Congressman Keating for their advocacy in securing these critical funds for New Bedford, which the Community Health Center, under the leadership of Cheryl Bartlett, will use to protect our residents and our essential workers,” the Mayor continued.
The site is expected to open in early April and to handle at least 125 vaccinations per hour, with the ability to vaccinate up to 800 to 1,000 people per day.
Further details about hours of operation and signup steps will be announced ahead of the center’s opening in collaboration with the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center.
