Vaccine eligibility wide open, heads into final phase, Fall River to hold clinic Sunday

State House News Service and Fall River Reporter

With the arrival of Patriots’ Day, Massachusetts will lift all remaining restrictions on vaccine eligibility and allow any adults who are still waiting four months into the rollout to access appointments.

About 3.1 million Bay State residents had received at least one vaccine dose through Thursday, meaning that more than 2.4 million adults in Massachusetts still have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 heading into the final phase of the rollout.

It remains unclear how many will ultimately opt against seeking a shot, but the sudden influx of more people into the existing pool of those vying for appointments will again expose the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly with Johnson & Johnson doses still on pause to allow for a federal review.

Gov. Baker said residents who become eligible Monday “should expect it may take several weeks to book an appointment.”

At the Hynes Convention Center mass vaccination site, Monday also kicks off “Red Sox Week,” when 20,000 appointments will be set aside for residents of the 20 hardest-hit cities and towns that feature significant populations of color. Groups including the Red Sox Foundation are working to reach out to residents in those communities and book their appointments at the Hynes, and the site will boost Spanish-speaking staff and signage. The week running through April 25 will also feature “Red Sox-themed attractions” such as a selfie station, Red Sox trophies, a raffle for tickets to a game, and socially distanced visits with Wally the Green Monster.

A mobile vaccine clinic also began Thursday in Fall River.

Sunday’s clinic will be taking place at Mary L. Fonseca Elementary School at 160 Wall Street from 11am-5pm.

To book an appointment, click here.