47% of Wareham residents are fully vaxxed – and could win big

For the second week in a row, Wareham saw no new cases of covid-19 in the past week, according to data from the state’s July 1 Weekly Public Health Report.

While only 47 percent of Wareham residents are fully vaccinated, there’s a new incentive to encourage more to get the vax: The state’s VaxMillions Giveaway. Each week, two fully-vaccinated Massachusetts residents will win big. One adult over the age of 18 will win $1 million, and one teen between the ages of 12 and 17 will win a $300,000 scholarship grant. 

The first drawing will be held on July 29, with the deadline to enter on July 22. Those who enter in time for the first drawing will stay in the running for all five drawings (or until they win). 

For more information or to enter, go to www.vaxmillionsgiveaway.com.

Wareham remains categorized “gray” in the state’s covid-19 risk reporting — the lowest risk level.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 1,747 coronavirus cases in Wareham.

Vaccines

Although Wareham has a covid-19 vaccine clinic, the town’s vaccination rate continues to lag behind many other Massachusetts communities. According to the state’s July 1 data, only 51 percent of Wareham residents have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine. That amounts to just 12,274 people — up 87 people from last week.

Forty-seven percent of Wareham residents — 11,275 people — are fully vaccinated.

Southcoast Health’s Wellness Van will be offering Johnson & Johnson vaccines — which are only one dose — at the Rosebrook Farmer’s Market at 35 Rosebrook Place (near Five Guys) from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 8.

Southcoast Health has no upcoming vaccine clinics scheduled for the Wareham Multiservice Center, but hosts regular clinics at the Vanity Fair Clinic in Dartmouth.

Those interested in getting vaccinated through Southcoast can now sign-up as slots are available, either through their MyChart account or at www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling/, which does not require a MyChart account.

For times and locations of upcoming walk-up clinics, visit: https://www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccination/. 

Those eligible for the vaccine can find appointments at other providers around the state using the state’s website vaxfinder.mass.gov.

The state has also set up a call center for those who are eligible for the vaccine but are unable to access the vaccine appointment website or who have trouble navigating the complex online system.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, people can call 211 and navigate to the vaccine help line by pressing two when prompted. The call center has workers on staff who speak English and Spanish, and there are translators available to support residents in about 100 additional languages.

This story has been updated to more clearly state that 47 percent of Wareham residents are fully vaccinated, while 51 percent of residents have received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine.