Mass. expands list of conditions for current, next phase of vaccinations – WCVB Boston

VACCINE. PFIZER NUMBER TWO AND TAVEL AND DAVID UMLAW FOR HEADING INTO THE HEINZ CONVENTION CENTER FOR THEIR FINAL LAP TOWARDS THE VACCINATION FINISH LINE. YES. WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE VACCINATED IN TWO WEEKS. YOU KNOW, IT’S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT YEAR FOR EVERYONE. I’LL BE GLAD TO GET IT OVER WITH AND KIND OF GET BACK TO NORMAL. WE CAN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE MONDAY THOSE 55 AND OLDER AND ADULTS WITH A DESIGNATED. HEALTH CONDITION TODAY THE STATE ADDED SEVERAL COMORBIDITIES TO THE QUALIFYING DEMENTIA TYPE 1 DIABETES HIV INFECTION OVERWEIGHT WHICH IS A SEPARATE CATEGORY FROM OBESITY STROKE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER. WE ARE REALLY PRIORITIZING THOSE PEOPLE IN PART BECAUSE WHEN THEY GET SICK THEY GET REALLY SICK THE NEW GROUP TO RECEIVING VACCINES MONDAY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VACCINATED IN THE STATE. ACTUALLY. WE’RE OPENING UP THE BARN DOORS IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY AND IT ALLOWS FOR MOST OF OUR POPULATION OR A LOT OF OUR ADULT POPULATION TO GET VACCINATED THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A SHOT HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR THE NEWLY ELIGIBLE. STAY STRONG STAY FOCUSED AND I THINK EVERYTHING’S GONNA WORK OUT THE END. LET’S HOPE SO. NOW THE STATE SAYS THAT IT CHANGED AND UPDATED ITS LIST OF THOSE HEALTH CONDITIONS TO MATCH THE CDC’S GUIDANCE

Mass. expands list of health conditions that qualify for current, next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations

Massachusetts health officials have added several health conditions to the list of ailments considered in determining if people are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in the current phase or the phase that begins next week. The update brings the state’s list up-to-date with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additions include type 1 diabetes, HIV infection and substance use disorder. Currently, anyone with two of the health conditions on the state’s list can qualify for vaccinations. Starting Monday, that hurdle is lowered to just one condition. Also Monday, eligibility will be expanded to anyone age 55 or older. Anyone who was part of a previous group remains eligible as well. Here’s the full, updated list of health conditions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as of April 2:CancerChronic kidney diseaseChronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertensionDementia or other neurological conditionsDiabetes (type 1 or type 2)Down syndromeHeart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)HIV infectionImmunocompromised state (weakened immune system)Liver diseaseOverweight and obesity PregnancySickle cell disease or thalassemiaSmoking, current or formerSolid organ or blood stem cell transplantStroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brainSubstance use disordersVaccines administered to-date in Massachusetts:How Massachusetts compares to other states in fully-vaccinated residents:

BOSTON —

Massachusetts health officials have added several health conditions to the list of ailments considered in determining if people are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in the current phase or the phase that begins next week.

The update brings the state’s list up-to-date with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additions include type 1 diabetes, HIV infection and substance use disorder.

Currently, anyone with two of the health conditions on the state’s list can qualify for vaccinations. Starting Monday, that hurdle is lowered to just one condition.

Also Monday, eligibility will be expanded to anyone age 55 or older. Anyone who was part of a previous group remains eligible as well.

Here’s the full, updated list of health conditions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as of April 2:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
  • Dementia or other neurological conditions
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Down syndrome
  • Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
  • HIV infection
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
  • Liver disease
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoking, current or former
  • Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
  • Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
  • Substance use disorders

Vaccines administered to-date in Massachusetts:

How Massachusetts compares to other states in fully-vaccinated residents: