BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – Massachusetts is preparing to enter the next stage of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
The Commonwealth enters the second stage of it's vaccine distribution plan on Feb. 1, 2021.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said that included in this round of vaccinations are people 75 years and older, followed by those over 65 with chronic health conditions and others who are at high risk.
"[It also includes] early education and K through 12 workers, transit utility, food and agriculture, sanitation and public works, and public health workers and then individuals with one comorbidity," Baker said.
Along with updating the guidelines for who can access the vaccine, the plan is to have over 100 vaccination sites open by the end of January, and over 160 sites by mid-February. Several of those sites would be installed at places like pharmacies, retail locations and other public areas.
In total, the state is looking to set up at least seven mass-vaccination locations. The first mass vaccination site opened up earlier this month at Gillette Stadium, and the second one is set to open in the coming weeks at Fenway Park.
"These sites will begin vaccinating around 500 people per day, and some sites will ramp up to as many as five thousand per day pretty quickly," Baker said. "With a total weekly capacity of 76 thousand [vaccinations] per week by the middle of February."
Baker said some mass vaccination sites are also preparing to open in Danvers, Springfield and Roxbury.
As of Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, Massachusetts has administered 359,919 vaccines. The next weekly vaccine report comes out on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany