UMass Memorial Healthcare, in cooperation with Mercantile Center, announced they will open a free Covid-19 Vaccination Center at 100 Front Street, Worcester. The Vaccination Center at Mercantile Center will open Monday, February 8. It will be open 5 days a week, Monday–Friday from 8am-6pm for the next few months. At this time, the vaccinations will only be open to UMass Memorial members 75 years of age and older and only by appointment. Mercantile Center Management is donating the space for vaccinations and testing.
UMass Memorial Health Care President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said that the health care company wanted to provide the most frail and sick patients in its care with a vaccine clinic that is easier to access than Gillette Stadium or Fenway Park. He praised Mercantile Center Owner, Chip Norton, with helping to transform part of the development into a testing facility and, now, a vaccination site.
“I want to acknowledge the great leadership of Chip Norton, who owns Mercantile Center, for offering the testing and vaccination sites at no cost” Dickson said in a statement. “We appreciate his generosity and support of our efforts to help the Central Massachusetts community during these unprecedented and challenging times.”
Charles, “Chip” Norton said, “We are more than happy to provide space for testing, and now, vaccinations, as we all, together, battle this challenging pandemic”. Norton continued, “We know these are difficult times and we greatly appreciate all that UMass Memorial and others do to assist those in the community. We are pleased that we can be of assistance to UMASS Memorial for residents of the Greater Worcester Community as they seek to stay safe, healthy and receive testing and the vaccination.”