'Encouraging' Vaccine Supply Projections From Feds Helped Set New Vaccination Schedule, Baker Says
BROCKTON (CBS) – Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said the projected increase in COVID vaccine supply from the federal government is "encouraging," which allowed the state to announce when every Massachusetts resident will become eligible for the COVID vaccine.
Prior to his Wednesday press conference, Baker's office released this schedule for all remaining groups:
March 22: residents 60+ and certain workers
April 5th: residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition
April 19th: general public ages 16 years of age and older
President Biden has challenged states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
Massachusetts will have about 170,000 first doses to administer next week, Baker said. He called this a "reasonably significant" increase from where the state was several weeks ago.
Baker said that on a call with federal officials on Tuesday, governors were assured there will be an increased supply in the coming weeks, which allowed the state to make plans for the next eligible groups.
"I think for the most part, many of us are really enthusiastic on where this is going to be going at the end of March and middle of April," Baker said, adding "I think we are going to see hundreds of thousands of doses."
The governor stressed the importance of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it offers protection with only one shot, compared to two separate appointments for Moderna and Pfizer.
Baker said Johnson & Johnson is ramping up production and the projections for the end of March and into April are "really encouraging."
Visit Mass.Gov/CovidVaccine to find out when you're eligible and to book an appointment or call the hotline at 211.
