The State Rolls Out COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

The Governor's office rolled out their COVID-19 vaccine plan yesterday. As expected healthcare workers, first-responders and seniors will be first in line for the vaccine. Approval from the FDA is expected today and the vaccine will be shipped within hours of the final emergency approval.

The Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline after extensive consultation with the Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group, made up of leaders from health care, the faith community, community organizations, local government, and others.

The timeline reflects several priorities: protecting our most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden.

Vaccine distribution in MA will occur in a phased approach:

Phase 1

(December 2020 – February 2021)

Listed in order of priority:

Clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers doing direct and COVID-facing care
Long term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilities
Police, fire and emergency medical services
Congregate care settings (including corrections and shelters)
Home-based health care workers
Healthcare workers doing non-COVID-facing care

Phase 1 vaccination settings:

Most healthcare workers and first responders will be vaccinated at their place of employment or have their employer otherwise coordinate their vaccination
Individuals living and working in long term care will be vaccinated as part of the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program
Vaccination for individuals in other congregate settings (e.g., group homes, shelters, corrections) will be coordinated by the management of those facilities
Many additional vaccination administration sites will be made available for other populations

Phase 2

(February-March 2021)

Listed in order of priority:

Individuals with 2+ co-morbid conditions (high risk for COVID-19 complications)
Early education, K-12, transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health workers
Adults 65+
Individuals with one co-morbid condition

Phase 3

(Starting April 2021)

The vaccine is expected to be available to the general public.

Phase 3 vaccination settings:

Once the vaccine is available to the general public, public vaccine clinics will be available on the CDC’s interactive website: vaccinefinder.org. You will also be able to check with your primary care provider, local pharmacy or local health department.

The timelines above are estimates.