Cambridge Public Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Update for January 25, 2021

Based on the information the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has shared, Phase Two will begin on February 1st and only those 75 years and older (and those who qualify as part of Phase One) will be able to register for a vaccination appointment using the map on the state’s website. At this point, we do not have indications of when other groups in Phase Two will be able to register for and receive the vaccine. When the state shares additional information, we will post it on our dedicated vaccine information page at www.cambridgema.gov/vaccine.

The following information was provided by the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) as an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Cambridge based on currently available state and local information.

Cambridge COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Update:

• The vaccine clinic for the first dose vaccination for the City’s first responders has been completed. The Cambridge Pandemic Collaborative began providing COVID-19 vaccine to clients and staff at shelter locations on January 20, and the shelter vaccination clinics are expected to be completed this week.
• The Cambridge Pandemic Collaborative is a collaborative of public and private city partners led by the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD), Cambridge Fire Department, Cambridge Police Department and Pro EMS.

COVID-19 Vaccine:

1. Vaccine Availability: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced today that due to the lack of vaccine allocated by the federal government to Massachusetts at this time, vaccine orders will be capped going forward through February and until more vaccines are available. No more than 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine per week will be allocated to local health departments. Second doses for first doses administered to date (including for first responders) were sent to Cambridge this afternoon.
   
   The City and CPHD do not have control over vaccine supply, which is determined by the federal government, and will continue to keep residents posted as more information becomes available. 
   
   
2. Update on Vaccination Sites: Today, Governor Baker announced an expansion of COVID-19 vaccination sites in all parts of the Commonwealth, including new mass vaccination sites, pharmacy locations and local sites. By mid-February, the Baker Administration expects there will be 165 regional vaccination sites in the Commonwealth.
   
   Public vaccination sites listed on the map include pharmacies, community clinics, and other providers and organizations that have experience administering vaccines efficiently and safely. This week, 44 new public vaccination sites will open. These include new pharmacy and retail locations such as Big Y, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Retail Business Services at Hannaford and Stop and Shop Pharmacies, and CVS Health.
   
   While many sites across the Commonwealth are open to all eligible individuals, some sites will be operated by local communities specifically for the residents in their community or the residents in their region.
   
   A map with all locations is available at mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap. Each location has additional details on eligible groups and signup details. The map is updated frequently as more sites come online.
   
   Please note: The state’s capacity to vaccinate is not the same as the number of shots that will be administered in a given time. The actual number of vaccinations administered to Massachusetts residents will depend on several variables, notably the availability of doses from the federal government.
   
   
3. Updates to Phase II of the Vaccine Rollout: The Baker Administration also announced updates to the state’s vaccine distribution timeline for Phase Two. Individuals age 75 and older will now be the first priority group in Phase Two, and individuals age 65 years and older have been moved into the second priority group, in addition to individuals with two comorbidities. Starting on February 1, individuals age 75 and older can be vaccinated.
   
   
   
   More information regarding Phase II and priority populations can be found on the state’s website.

City of Cambridge COVID-19 Vaccine Website:

• The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) will play a significant role in vaccinating first responders during Phase I and the general public during Phase III in Spring 2021. The Commonwealth is overseeing the administration and distribution of the vaccine, so guidance to local health departments and local boards of health is subject to change.
• The City has created a page at www.cambridgema.gov/vaccine to share Frequently Asked Questions, important updates related to the COVID-19 vaccine from the state, and to add important Cambridge-specific information as vaccine distribution continues through the state's phases.