When Can I Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Massachusetts? Gov. Baker Announces Plan

Governor Charlie Baker announced a detailed plan for distributing an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon.

The plan will include three phases of recipient priority, with Phase 3 expected to take place in spring 2021, according to Mass.gov.

Here's how the three-phase estimated COVID-19 vaccine timeline breaks down:

Phase One

• December 2020- February 2021
• Clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers working directly with COVID-19 patients.
• Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services; Congregate care settings (including shelters and corrections)
• Home-based healthcare workers
• Healtcare workers doing non-COVID care

Phase Two

• February 2021-April 2021
• Individuals 2+ comorbidities (high risk for COVID-19 complications)
• Early education, K-12, transit, grocery, food and agriculture sanitation, public works, and public health workers
• Adults 65+
• Individuals with one comorbidity

Phase Three

• April 2021-June 2021
• Vaccine available to general public

The vaccine will not be distributed in Massachusetts until the FDA determines it is safe, according to Mass.gov. Vaccines will go through more testing than any other pharmaceuticals, including extensive testing in clinical trials.

The vaccine will be released after the FDA and the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) ensures it is both safe and effective.

COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Agreement requires reporting moderate and severe adverse event to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS.)

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