BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In the next wave of coronavirus vaccinations, Massachusetts will not receive as many doses of the Pfizer vaccine as was initially anticipated.
Gov. Baker announced Friday the federal government has reduced the number of vaccine doses approved to be shipped to the Commonwealth next week, from 60,000 to 42,900.
"At this time it's not clear to us why the shipment amounts have been adjusted," Baker said. "We're certainly frustrated that we won't be receiving the amount that we expected in the first wave, and are working to get clarity on what this means, why it happened, and how that bump will be dealt with along the way."
Baker said Massachusetts is one of more than a dozen states that was told it will receive fewer doses of the Pfizer vaccine than expected for the second week of distribution.
"We understand that while the distribution of vaccines is a massive undertaking," Baker added. "We'll be ready to work through our plan to ensure that the residents of Massachusetts are fully vaccinated as quickly and as safely as possible when supply becomes available."
According to Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, the state is now expecting to receive 145,000 doses of the vaccine by the end of the year, reduced from the initial 180,000 doses expected; about a 20 percent decline.
"The vaccine process, much like the pandemic itself, is fast-paces and changing, and we'll continue to pivot as is necessary," Sudders said.
Gov. Baker said the change in the federal government's delivery plans will cause a "slight delay" in the overall vaccination process, but it is still unclear whether it will impact the vaccine timeline already laid out by the state.
First responders will be next in line to receive the vaccine, after the state's COVID-facing healthcare workers and long term care facilities.
Baker also said the state has ordered 120,000 first doses of the Moderna vaccine, which he said should receive emergency use authorization from the FDA by the weekend.
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)