The Baker-Polito Administration announced individuals ages 65 and over and those with 2+ certain medical conditions, including Asthma, can visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine to start booking an appointment for vaccine beginning February 18th.
Due to extremely high demand for appointments and limited vaccine supply, it could take more than a month for all eligible individuals to secure an available appointment, unless federal supply significantly increases. Recently, Massachusetts has been receiving approximately 110,000 first doses per week from the federal government. Residents are encouraged to keep checking the website as appointments are added on a rolling basis.
Individuals 65 and over:
Individuals 65 and over, including residents and staff of low income and affordable public and private senior housing are eligible to receive vaccine effective tomorrow, February 18th.
Residents and staff of low income and affordable public and private senior housing can learn more about vaccination options here.
Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions:
Individuals 16 and older with two or more of certain medical conditions (defined below) are eligible for vaccine, effective tomorrow.
In concert with CDC guidelines, the Commonwealth has adopted the list of conditions that cause individuals to be at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Massachusetts has also identified moderate to severe asthma as an eligible medical condition.
Phase 2 eligible conditions:
• Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
• Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Learn more from CDC: COVID-19: People with Certain Medical Conditions
Mass Vaccination Appointments:
Details for booking can be found via the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder, which enables residents to search for a vaccination location and view appointment availability before scheduling. The tool can be accessed via the state’s vaccination website at www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine or directly at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov.
Individuals that are unable to access appointments via the internet can call 2-1-1 and follow the prompts for vaccine appointments.
The vaccine supply is limited, and we continue to ask for your patience as it may take weeks to get an appointment.
Please remember my office is committed to keeping you informed and doing everything we can to assist you. If a family member or friend is unable to assist, the RiverMills COA staff will still be available to assist you. The phone number of the River Mills COA is 534-3698.
Vaccines are free, however, you will need your medical insurance information and you may be asked some basic medical history questions. Most importantly, you will need an email address to receive information about your appointments. Remember, the current Vaccine requires two doses. We ask you to be patient as we do all we can to keep you informed and help everyone.
Lastly, if you are not feeling well, may have been exposed to the Covid 19 virus and need a test, Chicopee is providing our free testing site on M-T-W from 8 am to 12 noon on the upper level of the RiverMills Center at 5 W Main Street. Let’s stop the spread and build immunity one test and vaccine at a time.