Governor Baker Announces New Vaccine Timelines

BOSTON (AP) — All residents of Massachusetts age 16 and older will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine beginning April 19, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday.

Before that date, residents age 60 and older as well as workers considered essential can get a vaccine starting March 22, while those 55 and older can get a shot beginning April 5.

The essential workers eligible for a vaccination starting March 22 include those who work at supermarkets and convenience stores, restaurant workers, transit employees, and funeral home workers.

Depending on supply, it could still take weeks for people to be notified that an appointment is available at a mass vaccination site.

All residents can preregister to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.

The state so far has been concentrating its vaccination efforts on first responders, health care workers, residents age 65 and older, teachers, and those with underlying health conditions.

The April 19 target is ahead of President Joe Biden’s goal of making the vaccine available to all adults who want it by May.

Baker said that the state is seeing what he called significant support from the federal government with increases in doses of vaccine.

He said the state should be receiving about 316,000 first and second doses for next week including 170,000 first doses and 8,000 unanticipated doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“The news about the arrival of more vaccine from the federal government means we will be able to move faster to get doses to our residents. This is long overdue and welcome, We’re all eager to get back to something like normal and see our friends and loved ones again,” the Republican said Wednesday at a press conference at a health center in Brockton.

Baker said that while the ramping up of the number of vaccine doses is a hopeful sign, people are still getting sick and everyone should continue to take precautions like wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

“It’s important that we don’t forget that COVID is still very much with us and is going to be with us for the foreseeable future,” he said, “We can’t let our guard down and we certainly shouldn’t do so when we are this close to the finish line.”

Associated Press