First COVID-19 Vaccines Expected this Month, But limited Supply For Now

The Berkshire Eagle reports COVID-19 vaccines could begin arriving in Massachusetts this month, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday, but it will be months before members of the general public have access to immunizations, based on plans the federal government and Massachusetts are finalizing this week to prioritize limited early supplies.

The Trump administration told governors Monday to expect the first shipments of Pfizer vaccine to begin arriving by mid-December, assuming that it receives the necessary emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, Baker said.

The vaccine developed by Cambridge-based Moderna would be available "shortly after that," added Baker, who also said he did not think his administration would consider mandating vaccinations.

The head of the FDA Stephen Hahn was called to the White House on Tuesday morning for a meeting on the Pfizer approval process, and the agency has a hearing scheduled Dec. 17 to discuss the Moderna application.