Baker Announces First Responder Vaccination Plan

In a press conference today, Gov. Charlie Baker and state officials announced plans to get first responders vaccinated against COVID-19.

First responders are next in line for the coronavirus vaccine and their time is coming next week.

The Commonwealth will soon begin vaccinations for first responders. There are over 45,000 first responders across the Commonwealth and this is a diverse group that includes fire, police, and EMTs that serve state, local and regional entities

Gov. Charlie Baker

There will be three options for first responders to get vaccinated:

• Qualifying departments that plan to vaccinate at least 200 individuals may request vaccines to be administered on-site and must follow COVID-19 vaccine program guidance.
• Appointments can be made at one of 60 sites being established across the Commonwealth that will solely vaccinate first responders.  Appointment scheduling will be available online later this week.
• Mass vaccination sites will be available within the coming weeks.  More information on those sites will be provided at a later date.

In addition to vaccination plans for First Responders, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said the state will increase the priority level for residents ages 75 and older allowing them to receive vaccines early in the second rollout stage. They now will fall into Phase Two, Group One which also individuals who have two or more comorbidities increasing their risk of serious illness.

The change will affect about 170,000 Massachusetts residents and follows new federal guidelines for prioritization based on the higher threats that older adults face from the respiratory illness and its complications. Under the original plan, all adults 65 and older were near the bottom of the list for receiving vaccines in the second phase, which officials aim to run from February to April.

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