State progressing through 430,000 in 75+ vaccination group

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signaled Monday that he’s in no rush to expand the pool of vaccine-eligible residents to people 65 and older or with at least two underlying health conditions, who would all be in the next group based on the state’s updated vaccination plan.

“I think we’ll move beyond where we are now when we feel like we’ve done as much as we can do to get the folks who are part of the communities that are currently eligible vaccinated,” Baker said during a press conference at the State House.

The administration opened the vaccine pool to people 75 and older last Monday, and Baker said that the state has vaccinated roughly 200,000 of the more than 430,000 residents in that age bracket. A new call center for seniors who have had trouble with the website, don’t have internet or are not comfortable navigating the website also opened on Friday.

“That’s a big number,” the governor said, referring to those in the grouping who have been vaccinated. “But I think we’ll probably want to leave it open for a little while longer to see if some more 75-year-old folks sign up.”

Health care workers, first responders, nursing home residents, the homeless and those in prison are also currently eligible for the shot. Baker said the mass vaccination sites in Boston, Danvers, Foxborough and Springfield were “batting about 100 percent” in terms of vaccine doses allocated and administered, and that there are still a few thousand appointments available for late in the week.

“Part of the reason these communities were early was because they’re vulnerable and at risk and especially with some of the older folks, we need to give them a little room here to get there,” Baker said.

Teachers, food industry workers and transit employees are all part of Phase 2 of the state’s vaccination plan, and would follow residents 65 and older and those with two or more medical conditions that put them at a higher risk from COVID-19. The general public is expected to have access to the vaccine beginning some time in April.

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