Health Care

Nearly five months after the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday the state was moving into a new, more targeted phase of its immunization effort with the state on track to meet its initial goal of fully vaccinating 4.1 million people by early June.

Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and the union Massachusetts Nurses Association appear to be closer to ending the nurses strike ongoing since March 8, after the hospital agreed to modify contract language around staffing levels.

Five entities in Worcester including UMass Medical School and the Family Health Center of Worcester have received a share of nearly $9 million in state funding announced Thursday to help people access coronavirus vaccines in hard-hit communities.

While Massachusetts ranks high among the states in terms of residents with health insurance, one in four insured residents here reported forgoing health care that they felt was needed due to cost, according to a new state report.

Anna Maria College in Paxton is the latest to announce it'll require students and employees to be vaccinated in time for the start of the fall semester.

New coronavirus case numbers in Worcester County and across Massachusetts were at the lowest level this week since early November, continuing progress fighting the pandemic while more public restrictions are loosening.

A firm making gene therapy for rare diseases that was co-founded by a UMass Medical School professor has won regulatory approval to continue research and investigatory work for an ALS therapy.

The Family Health Center of Worcester has been given a $23,000 state grant to help pay for facility improvements that can include coronavirus pandemic-related needs.

A group of Central Massachusetts entities including the Worcester and Marlborough chambers of commerce, UMass Memorial Health and community groups have formed a coalition opposed to Mass General Brigham's expansion plans, which include a new outpatient facility in Westborough.

Saint Vincent Hospital met with union nurses on Monday for the first time in more than eight weeks, but the gathering didn't bring the two sides any closer to an agreement to end a strike ongoing since March 8.