Covid-19: Massachusetts First Responders To Start Getting Vaccinated

(BOSTON, Mass.) Starting Monday, a multitude of first responders in Massachusetts are expected to begin getting their Covid-19 vaccines. This is a part of the state's phased rollout plan of the immunization. Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that over 40,000 first responders and police officers will be eligible starting January 11. "These men and women put their lives on the line regularly, back before we had Covid-19, and for the last 10 months, they kept on working the front lines, protecting and caring residents across Massachusetts," Baker said at a Jan 4 press conference. Frontline Hospital workers were first priority in becoming eligible for the vaccine. Employees and residents in long term care facilities were second in line. According to the state, first responders and police officers will have three different methods for getting vaccinated. Any departments that plan on vaccinating at least 200 people can request that doses be distributed by their own staff on site while following CDC guidelines. Additionally, medical personnel and first responders can schedule an appointment at one of the vaccination sites set up by community health centers across the state. There are already over 60 vaccination sites in Massachusetts. Mass vaccination sites that are set up by the state will also be available for use. The towns of Hopkinton, Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, and Ashland (Middlesex County) announced last month that they are collaborating to organize a clinic for public safety employees and first responders in their communities. Also, officials in Norwood stated last week that a vaccination site will be available starting Monday. This site will cover Norfolk County communities which includes Milton, Walpole, Needham, Westwood, and Wellesley. "We are pleased to be able to kick off the first responder vaccination clinic Monday morning," Norwood Police Chief William Brooks said. According to the Department Of Public Health's weekly Covid-19 report, as of last week, 139,895 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been distributed in Massachusetts. On Sunday, the state reported 5,396 new cases of Coronavirus and 77 more deaths linked to Covid-19. This brings the cumulative number of infected Massachusetts residents since the start of the pandemic to 413,329 and the death toll to 12,875.