On Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported on CDC Director Mandy Cohen’s visit to the Whittier Street Health Clinic in Roxbury. In the article ‘It is going to be more challenging this year.’ CDC director addresses vaccination hiccups on visit to Boston - The Boston Globe, Dr. Cohen indicated that this year will be more challenging than the past few years as the federal government is not in charge of distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. This year the private sector is in charge and the are complaints of supply shortages, canceled appointments and issues with insurance companies.
Tara Gregorio, president of Mass Senior Care, noted that many nursing homes and other facilities that serve the elderly are still struggling to get residents vaccinated and that long term care pharmacies are only receiving small quantities of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Gregorio stated that long-term care facilities are committed and prepared to administer the vaccines once they are more readily available.
Mass Senior Care continues to work with DPH to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine availability for Massachusetts long-term care facilities through long-term care pharmacies.