Baker: 2 million Mass. residents ‘fully vaccinated’ with COVID-19 vaccine

BOSTON — Dr. Michael Misialek, a pathologist at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, says it’s a big step forward now that 2 million people are fully vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine in Massachusetts.

He says that’s about 30 percent of the state’s population, and he believes at this pace, we could reach herd immunity by late June – once about 70 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Herd immunity is the level at which even despite full 100 percent, it’s thought that even sporadic infections won’t spread and become large surges or pandemic like what we’re in and finishing now.

While more than 2 million are now fully vaccinated in the state, just over 3 million people have received at least one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines so far, according to the latest numbers released Saturday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“At this pace, the projections are that 90 percent of the population would be immunized sometime in late summer and I’m very optimistic that we can reach that goal even with the setback with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine,” Misialek said.

Misialek said even with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on hold, there’s been enough supply of the other vaccines to reach this significant milestone Saturday.

But he said it’s still too early to ditch the mask and social distancing guidelines.

“Still maintain the practices we have been doing because we’re not 100 percent sure yet whether those who have been vaccinated could get or transmit or the virus,” he said.

While 2 million people are now fully vaccinated, about 1.7 million more people will become eligible to get the vaccine on Monday.

That’s when everyone over the age of 16 will be able to sign up for the shot.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Saturday that the state had reached this milestone in the fight against coronavirus, with 2 million people now fully vaccinated.

“Massachusetts has been successful vaccinating people throughout our distribution timeline and as of today, over 2 million people are fully vaccinated,” Baker said in a tweet on Saturday afternoon.

Starting Monday, everyone 16 or older in Massachusetts will be eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine.

“We look forward to continuing our progress vaccinating our residents,” Baker said.

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