Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced that all residents aged 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19.
Baker said on Twitter that people ages 60 and older will be eligible on March 22, as well as workers in certain fields such as transit, grocery, food, and public works sectors.
Residents aged 55 and older and people with one medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness, will be eligible by April 5.
The vaccine will be available to the general public by April 19.
The step will make Massachusetts the latest state to expand eligibility ahead of President Biden’s directive to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced on Tuesday that every resident age 16 and older will be eligible by March 29.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said last Friday that such residents in her state will be eligible by April 5.
Massachusetts is in phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, which includes those over the age of 65 and individuals with two medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness. This phase also includes K-12 educators, staff in K-12 schools and child care workers.
The Bay State has administered 2.6 million doses of coronavirus vaccines as of Tuesday, according to data from the state. Of that, 1.66 million people have received their first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and 883,407 have received both doses.
In addition, 62,889 people have received Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot coronavirus vaccine.
