Massachusetts residents looking for coronavirus vaccines on Thursday morning competed for a smaller number of new appointments at the state’s massive vaccination sites, even though there were signs of progress when the administration of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine began locally. .
According to a message posted on the state’s Twitter account around 7am on Thursday, there were no new appointments available at several mass vaccination sites on Thursday. New appointments at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and the Reggie Lewis Center were not available due to limited federal vaccine supply and a large number of previously scheduled two-dose appointments. ‘
The message advised residents to seek appointments at other mass vaccination centers, including the DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, the Natick Mall in Natick, the former Circuit City in Dartmouth and the Eastfield Mall in Springfield. Shortly before 11 a.m., the state posted a new tweet announcing that all appointments at mass vaccination sites had been booked.
Due to the huge demand and a very limited supply of vaccine from the federal government, all appointments were discussed next week at mass vaccinations.
– Mass.gov (@MassGov) March 4, 2021
The state COVID-19 Response Command Center later explained to the Globe that no new appointments for first doses were made available at Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park or the Reggie Lewis Center on Thursday.
New appointments for the state’s mass vaccination centers are announced every Thursday, but only about 12,000 were awarded on Thursday morning. That is lower than 50,000 last week.
Also on Thursday, some of the first doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered by Tufts Medical Center. Mary Chin, chief executive of the Asian American Civic Association, received her shot at Boston Hospital on Thursday morning. The vaccine, which was approved by the FDA’s US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use this past weekend, could dramatically speed up vaccination efforts because it requires only one dose and is easier to dispense and store.
Although the appointments went quickly on Thursday, the pool of eligible residents will expand dramatically next week with Governor Charlie Baker announcing on Wednesday that K-12 educators, school staff and child care workers will be eligible to book appointments on March 11. . 400,000 individuals will join those 65 and older and those with two or more qualifying health conditions in the fitness pool.
Explanation: This story has been updated to reflect that no new appointments were announced Thursday at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium and the Reggie Lewis Center.
Christina Prignano can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @cprignano.