All individuals 5 years of age and older who live, work or study in Rhode Island are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost and with no requirement for insurance. There are multiple ways to make an appointment to get a vaccination in Rhode Island:
- You can make an appointment at one of the state-run vaccination sites, including the Dunkin Donuts Center in downtown Providence, at vaccinateri.org. The Dunkin Donuts Center vaccination clinic operates daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and free parking is available at the Rhode Island Convention Center North Garage. From College Hill, the Omni Express (weekdays) and the Omni/Chestnut Express (nights and weekends) shuttle routes offer frequent service and the Omni stop is a 3-minute walk from the entrance to the Dunkin Donuts Center. Shuttle routes and operating hours can be found on the Transportation Office website.
- Several local pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccination appointments and information can be found on their websites, including: CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart and Stop & Shop.
- Many cities and towns in Rhode Island are operating local and regional vaccine sites as well. The State’s vaccine locator map includes these sites. Providence residents can find information about vaccine sites available to them on the City of Providence’s vaccine information website.
One of the best ways to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine is to understand how it works, its safety and effectiveness and its possible side effects. Below is a list of resources for learning more about the vaccines.
- Rhode Island Department of Health Vaccine Information
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine FAQ
- Essential Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit (CDC)
- Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the U.S. (CDC)
- Myths and Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
- What To Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC)
- Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Connecticut COVID-19 Response
- World Health Organization Science in 5 Video Series
- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers: The Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Individuals 16 Years of Age and Older
- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers: The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older
- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers: The Janssen / Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older