Boston neighborhoods hit hardest by virus have lowest vaccination rates By Deanna Pan Globe Staff,Updated March 2, 2021, 8:48 p.m. Email to a Friend Marty Martinez, the cityâs Health and Human Services chief, inspected the setup for the mass vaccination site at the Reggie Lewis Center before it opened last month.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff The Boston neighborhoods with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates â East Boston, Mattapan, and Dorchester â have endured some of the highest levels of coronavirus cases in the city, according to newly released data from the Boston Public Health Commission. Conversely, the neighborhoods with the highest vaccination rates â including West Roxbury, the South End, and Jamaica Plain â have experienced much lower rates of infection since the beginning of the pandemic.