Gov. Baker: Full COVID Vaccine Eligibility Timeline Will Be Released Wednesday
BOSTON (CBS) – Every Massachusetts resident will soon know when they are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Charlie Baker announced his administration will release the full timeline for remaining groups on Wednesday morning.
President Joe Biden has challenged states to make the vaccine available to all adults by May 1. It is unclear if the state's plan will match that timeline.
Last Friday, Massachusetts launched its COVID vaccine preregistration system. After signing up, people are notified by text or email about openings at mass vaccination sites, and have 24 hours to respond.
Massachusetts is currently in Phase 2 of its vaccine distribution plan. People who are eligible include residents over the age of 65, teachers, and people who live or work in low income or affordable senior housing.
The governor has often insisted he can ramp up vaccine distribution as the feds ramp up supply and Mass General Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr. Mark Siedner says that is happening.
"Two states already, Alaska and Mississippi are already moving to vaccination of all adults, so it is the natural order of things," Dr. Siedner said. "I think what we're seeing, and what we will see, is that the restriction on vaccinations are going to start to wash away."
At this point, Massachusetts has received 2,991,670 doses and ranks very high in terms of getting those shots into arms, with nearly 950,000 residents fully vaccinated.
