Trains are being transformed into vaccination clinics to bring shots into harder-hit communities.
The MBTA's "Vax Express" stopped in Mattapan Wednesday as the agency begins offering COVID-19 vaccines to passengers aboard its commuter rail trains.
MBTA has partnered with a private health startup CIC Health to implement the program from June 16 to 20, the agency announced Friday.
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"We're hoping to grab folks from the neighborhood as they're walking down the street and making it very convenient," said State Rep. Russell Holmes, a Democrat from Mattapan.
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The O'Briens brought their six kids to get the shot at Blue Hill Avenue Station.
"I wanted the kids to be able to get back to normal living contact, just to be safe, make sure everyone can get out and be out in safety," Yvette O'Brien said.
The Vax Express will visit stations in Worcester, Mattapan, Boston, Lowell, Lawrence and Fitchburg. These areas have been identified as having among the lowest vaccination rates in Massachusetts.
The Vax Express offers the two-dose Pfizer vaccine for passengers ages 12 and older and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for passengers ages 18 and older.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, which is sponsoring the initiative, also plans to offer giveaways, including a $25 local grocery store gift card to each vaccine recipient.
The Vax Express is accepting walk ups as well as appointments through the CIC Health website.
