Gov. McKee, RIDOH to partner with local colleges and universities to distribute vaccines

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health are working with local colleges and universities to give students, faculty, and staff, as much access to COVID-19 vaccines as possible before the spring semester comes to an end.

Nine colleges have partnered with RIDOH develop vaccination plans for the semester:

• Bryant University- Has its own designated vaccination day at Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston. Bryant will provide a shuttle service to the clinic.
• Brown University- Has its own designated vaccination day at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Brown will provide a shuttle service to the clinic.
• Community College of Rhode Island- Holding clinics at all four locations across the state.
• New England Institute of Technology- Has designated days at Sockanosset Cross Road in Cranston.
• Providence College-Encouraging community members to get vaccinated at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
• Roger Williams University- Partnering with the town of Bristol to organize an on campus clinic.
• Rhode Island College- Hosting an on campus clinic.
• Rhode Island School of Design- Has its own designated vaccination day at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. RISD will provide a shuttle service to the clinic.
• University of Rhode Island- Will have designated days across multiple vaccination clinics. URI will provide transportation to clinics, as well as ice cream bars for participants.

No health insurance is needed to be vaccinated, as vaccination is free of charge.

If students or faculty received their first dose of the vaccine in a different state, they can still get their second dose in Rhode Island.

Gov. McKee stressed the importance of getting college communities vaccinated.

“Now that vaccine eligibility is open to all people 16 and older who live, work, or go to school in Rhode Island, it’s important that we get our young people who live in congregate settings vaccinated,” said McKee.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2021