BOSTON — When it comes to getting people vaccinated, Massachusetts has the best numbers in the country, according to new information released by the Department of Health and Human Services.
“That’s great! It’s nice that Massachusetts is doing such a good job to make sure everyone is getting vaccinated,” said Laura Carr, who lives in Norfolk County.
With a vaccine hesitancy rate of just 5.8 percent, Norfolk County has the least vaccine hesitancy in the state.
Carr says she understands why. “I think there’s been a lot of good public information available to encourage people to get vaccinated and protect themselves,” said Carr.
Dr. Michael Misialek is a pathologist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He says the study is good news.
“I think that’s very encouraging news I’m optimistic about it,” Misialek said.
But despite widespread acceptance of the vaccine, some counties like Bristol have a vaccine hesitancy rate of 8.68 percent. That is the highest in the state.
And those numbers correlate with the state’s weekly Covid numbers. A map on the state’s website shows where people got at least one Covid shot. The state numbers show that in Worcester County, just 39 percent of people have gotten one shot.
In Bristol County, 36 percent have gotten one shot.
In Norwood, which is part of Norfolk County, Leighton Vassall told Boston 25 that he cannot understand why people are waiting. He says he’s getting his shot soon.
“I think it’s good. I mean, people should get out and get vaccinated,” said Vassall.
Dr. Misialek says getting to those who are reluctant to get vaccinated means outreach to communities of color.
“Whether it’s providing transportation, language translation, disseminating information about the safety and the effectiveness of the vaccine,” said Dr. Misialek.
Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts
>> Complete Covid-19 vaccine coverage
RESOURCES:
- Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
