Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Update

Senator Rausch State House Briefing
Part 2, Chapter 1 (January 26, 2020)



Dear friends,

I hope 2021 is off to a good and healthy start for you and your loved ones. I am proud and honored to continue serving as your Senator in this new term.

It’s fitting that my first newsletter to you in 2021 focuses on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Massachusetts. The good news is that we are moving into Phase Two of vaccine eligibility. Tomorrow morning, residents who are 75+ can start scheduling appointments to receive vaccinations. Please see key information in the section below.

Unfortunately, Massachusetts continues to rank near the bottom of all 50 states for vaccine administration, droves of doses remain on freezer shelves, and some doses are even ending up in the garbage because of the implementation failures to date, despite a solid plan from the Vaccine Advisory Board. The devil is always in the details, and the details have been a deadly disappointment. I share your deep frustrations about how poorly the vaccine rollout process has been so far, I continue to press the administration for improvements, and I worry that vaccination rollout and COVID management in Massachusetts may continue to be embarrassingly substandard going forward. In particular, I am concerned about access to appointment sign-ups, physical ability to get to a vaccination site, inequitable vaccination and testing site locations, insufficient collaboration with local health experts and grassroots health advocacy organizations, language barriers, inadequate communication from the Baker administration, a failure to address vaccine hesitancy, poor judgment calls resulting in changing vaccine prioritization, and public health experts continuing to be outnumbered by big business representatives on the reopening board.

Because the vaccination distribution will take several more months, it is absolutely imperative that everyone continue to take precautions to mitigate/prevent the spread of COVID19. That means masks, hand-washing, and physical distance from others. It’s hard and we’re tired. I get it. Please do not relent in your diligence. Also, try to get 20-30 minutes of physical activity daily, stay hydrated, eat well, and take time to take care of your mental health.

Questions and comments about the COVID vaccine distribution plan and implementation can be emailed directly to the Baker administration at COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov. I welcome constituents to copy me on those emails as well.

I promise to continue advocating for personal and public health.

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.

Yours in service, 

Senator Becca Rausch  


This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full content follow this link:  https://mailchi.mp/1a84a07d935c/maearlyvoting2020-13232068?e=0c2c9810fe

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