Charlton Memorial Hospital receives first COVID-19 vaccines in Fall River

The first COVID-19 vaccines began to arrive in Massachusetts on Monday, but Tuesday was Fall River’s turn.

96-year-old veteran Margaret Klessens of Bedford was the first to receive the vaccine in Massachusetts not including trials.

On Tuesday morning, Charlton Memorial Hospital received a shipment of vaccines that began to get passed out early in the afternoon.

Vaccines were also distributed to St. Luke’s in New Bedford, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. A total of 1,950 vaccines arrived to Charlton.

The state’s first shipment of 59,475 doses of the Pfizer vaccine was ordered from the federal government this past Friday and is being delivered directly to 21 hospitals across 8 counties, which included Charlton Memorial Hospital, as well as to the Department of Public Health Immunization lab.

Doses will then be redistributed for access to 74 hospitals across all 14 counties for front line medical workers. The next 40,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine will be allocated to the Federal Pharmacy Program to begin vaccinating staff and residents of skilled nursing facilities, rest homes and assisted living residences.

The vaccine is being prioritized for these groups to maximize life preservation and to support the health care system, according to a statement. Based on information at this time, Massachusetts is expecting 300,000 first doses of the vaccine to be delivered by the end of December. The first vaccines, manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer, will require two doses administered 3-4 weeks apart.

While all delivery dates and quantities are subject to change due to ongoing federal approval and allocation, the Administration plans to receive and distribute over 2 million doses to priority population groups by the end of March.

In collaboration with the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, the Administration designated groups of medical workers, first responders and residents most at risk for serious illness to receive the vaccine before the general population. The Vaccine Advisory Group is made up of leading medical, infectious disease and public health experts as well as representatives from communities of color and representatives of high-risk populations.

Communities of color and at-risk populations are prioritized throughout the process.

Anticipated Vaccination Phases and Timeline:

Phase One (December 2020-February 2021):

In order of priority

Clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers doing direct and COVID-facing care

Long term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilities

Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services

Congregate care settings (including shelters and corrections)

Home-based healthcare workers

Healthcare workers doing non-COVID facing care

Phase Two (February 2021-April 2021):

In order of priority

Individuals with 2+ comorbidities (high risk for COVID-19 complications)

Early education, K-12, transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health workers

Adults 65+

Individuals with one comorbidity

Phase Three (April 2021- ):

Vaccine available to general public