BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts launched a vaccination pre-registration website Friday after the previous site left many frustrated over long wait times as they tried booking appointments.
The state said the pre-registration system is meant to make booking appointments easier at the seven mass vaccination sites in the Commonwealth. While the system is only for mass vaccination sites right now, more locations are set to be added in April.
After pre-registering, the eligible resident will be notified when appointments are made available. They can then schedule their appointment within 24 hours.
Residents can opt out at any time if they find an appointment somewhere else.
“Due to constrained federal supply, it will take several weeks to be notified about available appointments at mass vaccination locations,” the state said.
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Some residents said Friday morning they were pleased with the new system.
Jim, from Duxbury, was up at 3 a.m. to pre-register and he said ‘it went very well.’ It took him about 10 to 15 minutes to pre-register on his smartphone.
“If it was during the day, and if I was on some big screen computer or something, it would take upwards of 5 [minutes],” Jim said.
In order to pre-register, residents will need to provide their name, address, date of birth, contact information, preferred method of communication, option to ask for help scheduling over the phone, and information about eligibility.
According to the state, family members, caregivers, or companions can fill out the form on behalf of an eligible resident. It is part of an effort to "help older people and others who are unable to use the form." Residents can also call 211 if they do not have internet access or someone who can fill out the form for them.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports
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