Cape Cod Regional Vaccine Consortium FAQ's
Cape Cod Regional Vaccine Consortium
Summary for Website Posting and Other Messaging
March 3, 2021
1. What is the Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium?
Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, comprised of Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC), Barnstable County (BC), Cape Cod Delegation, the towns and community health centers of Cape Cod, with support from Cape Cod Community College (4Cs), have established a large-scale vaccination site at the Cape Cod Community College gymnasium. Cape Cod Healthcare and Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will operate the vaccination site as of March 1. It will have the capacity to administer more than 750 vaccines per day, five days per week, pending supply from the state.
2. How are Barnstable County and Cape Cod Healthcare working together at the same location to provide vaccines?
Barnstable County and Cape Cod Healthcare will share the site and schedule residents independently from one another.
3. How will eligible residents make an appointment for a Barnstable County Clinic at Cape Cod Community College?
Barnstable County's clinics at Cape Cod Community College will be set up just like any of the regional clinics that Barnstable County holds for eligible residents. Clinics will be announced 24 hours in advance, and appointments will be made using the state's scheduling platform, PrepMod.
4. How will eligible residents make an appointment through Cape Cod Healthcare at Cape Cod Community College?
At this time, Cape Cod Healthcare will not be offering appointments to the public. Cape Cod Healthcare will be contacting (by phone) the most vulnerable population of older residents identified by the local Boards of Health. These residents do not need to be patients of Cape Cod Healthcare.
5. What is the criteria used for tracking the most vulnerable residents on Cape Cod?
With support from councils on aging, police, fire, and other departments in their respective towns, local boards of health are working to identify the most vulnerable older adults in each of their individual municipal boundaries. Elder Services of Cape Cod (the region's ASAP) is also being consulted to cross-reference and reach all vulnerable older adults.
Boards of health within each town will identify vulnerable older adults by town via the below plan to efficiently administer the vaccine to older adults left behind by the current vaccine offerings. Vulnerable older adults will be identified into two tracks:
1. Track One: Individuals who need assistance making a vaccination appointment but are able to travel to Cape Cod Community College. Track One individuals include those who are medically vulnerable and/or with limited computer abilities or access.
a. This list will be provided to Cape Cod Healthcare, who will proactively reach out to and schedule these appointments at the Cape Cod Community College site.
2. Track Two: Individuals who are homebound, who do not drive, reside in senior housing, have other confining/limiting factors, etc.
a. This list will be provided to Catchment Area Leads (Outer Cape Health Services; Community Health Center of Cape Cod; Town of Barnstable), who will proactively reach out to and schedule appointments at community health centers, home visits, regional sites, or another location. Homebound is defined as Residents of Barnstable County that have functional impairments that prevent them from leaving their homes. This population generally includes older people with lower-than-average income levels and serious medical problems like dementia, advanced heart conditions, or arthritis. Pertaining to COVID-19, this elder residential demographic is designated as homebound due to these medical challenges/disabilities.
6. Is Cape Cod Healthcare receiving vaccine from the state? How much? Which vaccine?
Yes, in the last week of February, Cape Cod Hospital was added to the state's list of approved hospitals to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. They are receiving a total of 2,000 doses per week. Cape Cod Healthcare administered 2,000 first doses at the Cape Cod Melody Tent during the week of 2/22 and another 2,000 doses during the week of 3/1, in addition to 2,000-second doses. Cape Cod Healthcare is currently receiving Moderna; This may change.
7. How much and which vaccine is Barnstable County receiving from the state?
The County is receiving 1,070 doses per week. The County is currently receiving the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and this may change.
8. Will Barnstable County continue to also operate regional sites across Cape Cod in addition to operating clinics at Cape Cod Community College?
Yes, Barnstable County plans to continue operating regional vaccination sites in Eastham, Falmouth, Orleans, and Truro.
9. What are the upcoming Barnstable County clinics?
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will be vaccinations on
- Tuesday 3/9 and Thursday 3/11 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM at Cape Cod Community College (single dose clinic – Johnson and Johnson vaccine)
- Wednesday, 3/10 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Orleans DPW (2nd dose only – Pfizer vaccine)
- Friday, 3/12 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at the Orleans Council on Aging (2nd dose only –Pfizer vaccine)
*Please note that Barnstable County’s vaccine schedule is developed week to week.
10. What plans are being made to provide vaccines to our region's homebound?
The Consortium is working with the COVID-19 Command Center & DPH to request additional vaccine supplies for homebound residents (~2,500 residents have been identified as homebound.)
* Homebound is defined as Residents of Barnstable County that have functional impairments that prevent them from leaving their homes.
This population generally includes older people with lower-than-average income levels and serious medical problems like dementia, advanced heart conditions, or arthritis.
Pertaining to COVID-19, this elder residential demographic is designated as homebound due to these medical challenges/disabilities.
11. How does the County ensure that first-dose people will not get an appointment at a second-dose clinic?
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment screens and removes anyone who registers for their first dose at a second-dose clinic to ensure there is enough vaccine for the people who need a second dose.
This information is provided by the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment.