Baker: Likely At Least One Month Before 1M Newly Eligible Mass. Residents Receive COVID Vaccine Appointments
BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that while the state is making the COVID vaccine available for more people starting Thursday, it will likely take at least one month for all of the eligible residents to be able to book an appointment.
Starting Thursday at 8 a.m., people over 65 years old, residents with two or more eligible medical conditions, and people who live or work in senior low-income housing can book appointments.
In total there are about 1 million newly eligible residents in addition to the 1.1 million people who were previously eligible.
Baker said unless the federal government begins increasing supply, it will still take time for all 1 million people to secure an appointment.
"Unless we see a massive increase in shipments from the feds, it will take us at least a month for people in these new groups to be able to book their first vaccine appointment," Baker said.
"We're frustrated about our demand for vaccines, and the federal allocation," added Sec. of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders.
Massachusetts learned late Tuesday night that it will be receiving a "modest increase" in its vaccine supply next week. Normally the shipment is around 110,000 doses, but next week will be 139,000.
Visit Mass.Gov/CovidVaccine to find out when you're eligible and to book an appointment.
