MBTA Commuter Rail ‘Vax Express’ Starts Giving Shots

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.

WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE

Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

"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.

People were able to hop on an MBTA commuter train to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and health officials say it's never been more important.

Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.

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.

If you are vaccinated in Massachusetts, you could win $1 million.

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.

Get the latest news on COVID-19 delivered to you. Click here to sign up for our weekly coronavirus newsletter.

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.