CHICOPEE – The city received good news from the state about its efforts to vaccinate its population against the coronavirus, but when those efforts can begin is still undetermined.

At his COVID-19 briefing on March 25, Mayor John Vieau explained the city has a plan in place for a vaccination center at the Castle of Knights that would also service residents of South Hadley and Granby. The city was awaiting word from the state to move forward.

Vieau said, “When they [state health officials] say they’re ready, so will we be.”

On March 26, state Rep. Joseph Wagner released the information that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has approved the plans, but when the site will start inoculations is still to be determined.

Because of rising infection rates, Chicopee is currently listed as a “red zone.” Commonwealth. Health Director Lisa Sanders said at the press conference it is now more important than ever for Chicopee residents to follow the protocols of mask-wearing and socially distancing.

According to Michael Pise, Vieau’s chief of staff, the mayor’s office has been assisting registered seniors in the city to get an appointment.

Wagner added when the site will be in operation is dependent upon “the finalization of details between EOHHS and participating communities, as well as by the amount of vaccine doses allocated to Massachusetts by the federal government in the coming weeks.”

He said, “This is good news for Chicopee and the Western Massachusetts region. I have been working with the Baker Administration on behalf of Chicopee to gain approval for this regional site and I am hopeful that when the site opens it will help to alleviate barriers to vaccine access.”

Posting on Facebook, Vieau wrote, This is the BEST news – that we’ve all been waiting for! I thank Gov. Baker, Lt. Polito, and Leader Wagner for partnering with us to bring this regional vaccination site to our city of Chicopee. It is clear that the COVID-19 crisis has affected many members of our area communities, and vaccination efforts must be targeted toward increased access for individuals and neighborhoods that have been the hardest to reach. I look forward to continuing to work with our state and federal partners to fairly and equitably get these life-saving shots into as many of our people’s arms as possible. I also thank the residents of Chicopee for their patience as we waited for this approval.”

Wagner’s office advised that in the meantime residents should dial the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 2-1-1 for assistance in scheduling; visit vaxfinder.mass.gov to find a vaccination site; and to pre-register with the state for a vaccination appointment at vaccinesignup.mass.gov.