Hoping to galvanize the state’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Monday that phase two of the state’s plan would begin on Feb 1.
Hoping to galvanize the state’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Monday that phase two of the state’s plan would begin on Feb 1, with all residents 75 or older able to start receiving shots at vaccination locations across the commonwealth.
Meanwhile, questions still remain regarding the vaccine rollout on-Island, as health agents reported seven new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, the lowest weekend total in more than two months.
The governor also fast-tracked the vaccination process for residents 65 and older, moving them up the priority ladder in phase two of the state’s vaccination plan in accordance with guidance from the Center for Disease Control. They will join residents who have two or more underlying conditions as the second highest-priority group starting Feb. 1.
In a press release that went out midday Monday, the governor said that the exact date for individuals to receive vaccinations was not yet set and would depend on vaccine availability.
“The exact date will depend on the vaccine supply from the federal government and the uptake and demand for vaccine appointments,” the release said.
On Thursday, the governor announced that all individuals in phase one of the state’s rollout plan were eligible to receive shots. Phase one priority groups included front lines health care workers, congregate living residents, their staff, and public safety officials.
According to the hospital website, 389 employees have been vaccinated as of last Wednesday, along with 280 first responders, all of the Windemere nursing home facility and all six residents at the Edgartown jail, as well as Edgartown courthouse staff.
“Our process is running very smoothly,” the update reads.
But the announcement from the governor also leaves questions about the details of the broader vaccine rollout on the Island.
The hospital is listed on the state Department of Public Health website as the only public vaccination site in Dukes County. Although the press release from the governor states that residents should schedule a vaccination appointment through a nearby clinic, the hospital is not yet offering vaccine appointments for residents in phase two of the rollout.
Hospital spokesman Marissa Lefebvre did not immediately respond to an email request for comment from the Gazette.
“We are working closely with the Island boards of health to develop a distribution plan as we learn more about the vaccine rollout from government leaders,” the hospital’s most recent online update states.
According to the state, phase two also includes early education and kindergarten through grade 12 educators, transit workers, grocery store employees, public health employees and individuals with one underlying condition.
The governor also announced an expansion of vaccination sites across the commonwealth on Monday.
The closest mass vaccination site to the Island is located at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, while the closest publicly available regional vaccination site is at the Walgreens in Mashpee.
Meanwhile, health agents reported seven new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, with five coming on Saturday and two on Monday. There were no new cases reported on Sunday, according to the report.
Of the seven new cases, three were tested at the hospital, two at TestMV, one from school testing and one from another provider. The Island has now reported 789 total laboratory confirmed PCR tests.
An expanded report from Friday indicated that there were currently 91 active cases of the virus on the Island, the majority of which were symptomatic.
One person is currently hospitalized with the virus, according to an update on Monday at 3 p.m. from the hospital. The patient’s condition is not currently known.
Comments
I can rest easy now knowing
Michael MarcusI can rest easy now knowing that the 6 residents of the jail have been vaccinated.
It makes ZERO sense to
John Mort EdgartownIt makes ZERO sense to provide vaccines to those incarcerated before those most in need - and even the general population. What an insult to all the law-abiding citizens. Just ridiculous.
Michael, I could not agree
Jim EdgartownMichael, I could not agree more... thats our tax dollars remember. I do understand we have to protect the guards but for heaven’s sake let’s get the first responders and elderly first ...
Over 50% of the vaccine sent
BCS Oak BluffsOver 50% of the vaccine sent to this state so far has not been used! One of the worst states in the country per capita for vaccinations. Mostly due to health care workers refusing to be vaccinated so the vaccines sit in storage because few others are allowed to be vaccinated. Other states, with enlightened leadership, are actively vaccinating those most at need , the elderly. Hopefully we'll catch up. Baker needs to go!
I believe that a large part
MV resident MVA large part of the reason that MA hasn’t injected what is on hand is that second doses are required and they are thoughtfully keeping those on hand for the second round of injections. If a person receives a first dose without a second that first dose is wasted. While other states have gone full bore with their supply they have no way to ensure that those critical second doses will be on hand when needed. MA should be applauded for their approach.
Do you know how many of those
Mr B ChilmarkDo you know how many of those are being held to be second shots? If I had already had the first shot, I would be hoping/expecting that they were holding the second one for me: three weeks on the Pfizer and four on the Moderna. There must be some cushion there.
If the health care workers
islanddogs EDGARTOWNIf the health care workers won't take the vaccine, then by all means, they should give their share to someone who will take it!
Let's get this going, we don't have time to spare with this awful virus.
In summary as of Monday,
Chip Coblyn OBIn summary as of Monday, Phase 2 will now include three priority groups: people 75 and over, people 65-75 and those with at least two underlying conditions. Did I get that right?
Why wait to schedule
Zephyr MVWhy wait to schedule appointments? Just let everyone register online and send them appointments based on their age as they become available. If you can't make the appointment you choose another date and time.
According to Bloomberg's
Ronald Monterosso EdgartownAccording to Bloomberg's vaccine tracker page, almost 50% of Massachusetts' vaccine supply sits unused despite the fact that Massachusetts has some of the best medical facilities and care in the country. The horrible vaccination record for Massachusetts is a direct result of the Governor's counter-productive, "three-phase" approach. The most efficient distribution method is to allow everyone to be vaccinated by waiting in line, while creating a priority line for those in the prioritized groups. By forcing facilities to refrain from vaccinating anyone in lower priority phases until all of those in the higher priority phases have first been vaccinated, much of our resources for administering the vaccine sit idle and half of our supply sits in storage. Worse yet, because the Pfizer vaccine must be discarded five days after it is thawed, the Governor's approach requires excess vaccine that cannot be given to anyone in the "proper phase" within that five-day "thaw window" to be thrown out rather than given to people from a lower priority phase. If I did not know better I would think that the Governor is purposely delaying the distribution of the vaccine to extend his emergency powers for as long as possible.
BCS, where are you getting
Ana de Sousa Oak BluffsBCS, where are you getting this data? Gov. Baker is saying there are limited vaccine supplies, but you are saying the opposite. Can you share your source? Thanks. A
How many total tests have
Don Edgar Oak BluffsHow many total tests have been done to get results of confirmed number of 789?
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