Health

1.7 million more MA residents eligible for vaccine, demand exceeds supply

BOSTON — 1.7 million more Massachusetts residents just became eligible for the vaccine on Monday, but the amount of people who want a shot is significantly more than the number of doses available.

Michael Curry, president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, believes that will be changing soon. Curry told Boston 25 News that the Biden administration’s focus on funneling vaccines directly to community health centers and retail pharmacies will be offering more opportunities.

He said New Hampshire opening eligibly to out-of-state residents on Monday also offers a feasible option to some. However, Curry expects the demand to slow down in Massachusetts in the coming weeks.

Related: General public eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

“I think we’re about a month away from getting to a place where people can get a vaccine when they want a vaccine within a reasonable amount of time,” said Curry, who’s a member of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group.

Curry said the hardest push ahead will be reaching out to those who remain hesitant to get a shot.

“There’s a lot of money being put out to do ads to reach people through social media with Black doctors, brown doctors, speaking different languages to reach populations,” Curry explained. “We also know that within the Republican ranks, particularly white men, Republicans are hesitant.”

Over the weekend, the commonwealth hit a milestone of fully vaccinating more than 2 million residents, which is the halfway point of the state’s goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents.

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