All Mass. adults to be vaccine-eligible by April 19
Photo | SHNS | Pool
Gov. Charlie Baker announcing coronavirus pandemic response details at the Worcester Senior Center
All Massachusetts residents 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting April 19, the Gov. Charlie Baker Administration said Wednesday morning in a key milestone in the state's campaign to end the pandemic.
Other population groups are now eligible even sooner: residents age 60 and older and some workers, including those in restaurants, will be able to get shots starting Monday. Those 55 and older and residents with at least one certain medical condition, such as asthma, will be eligible on April 5.
Wednesday's announcement comes days after President Joe Biden announced a goal of having all American adults eligible for a vaccine by May 1. Some states, including Alaska and Mississippi, already do.
It also comes as Massachusetts has quickened the pace of vaccine distribution and administration, with nearly 3 million doses shipped as of Tuesday, according to the state Department of Public Health. More than 2.6 million shots have been administered, including 946,000 people who've received both necessary doses.
[Related: COVID cases plateau in Worcester County, statewide]
The state's mass-vaccination sites include the Natick Mall. A public vaccination site has also been set up at Worcester State University.
Baker's office said Wednesday it has received assurances from the federal government an increased vaccine supply will be available to states soon. Residents not yet eligible for vaccines were able to pre-register online starting last Friday. Appointments will be offered based on eligibility and available appointments nearby.
Wednesday's announcement included a new $24.7-million investment in the state's initiative aiming to get vaccines to 20 communities hardest-hit by the pandemic, including Fitchburg, Framingham, Leominster and Worcester. The program includes more than $10 million for direct assistance with vaccine access, including transportation, and more than $5 million to help community health centers expand vaccination capacity at their facilities.
[Related: A year into COVID, Worcester County small businesses revenue down 51%]
The state first announced the targeted communities program in mid-February. State officials chose the 20 cities and towns by factoring in, among other criteria, the highest coronavirus case rates and highest rates of minority populations.
A similar initiative announced in late February creates collaborations between hospitals and local health offices to aid in vaccine efforts in certain communities.
Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester will work in one collaborative with Worcester State University and UMass Medical School's Commonwealth Medicine, with a vaccine center at Worcester State's fitness center. Harrington Hospital will also work with the Southbridge Board of Health and Heywood Hospital with the Gardner Board of Health. The Town of Rutland is also in its own vaccine program.
The state Department of Public Health said it will assist each community by helping to coordinate care with local boards of health, community health centers, and community and faith-based organizations, among others.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments