The 50,0000 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments that went online Thursday at mass vaccination sites were “nearly filled” within 90 minutes of their release, officials said.Massachusetts officials provided the update as residents seeking appointments greeted by a new “digital waiting room” that displayed wait times of minutes, hours or even days. “Due to a severely limited vaccine supply and a large population of individuals eligible to get a vaccine, this week’s 50,000 appointments at mass vaccination sites across the Commonwealth are nearly all filled,” the state said.Officials urged residents unable to book an appointment to try again next week, adding “it may take several attempts over the course of a few weeks to get an open slot.”The tens of thousands of new appointments were for vaccinations at mass vaccination sites at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium and in Dartmouth, Danvers, Natick and Springfield. State officials make new appointments at those state-run sites available on Thursdays.One week ago, the state’s online directory of vaccine sites and the scheduling website for mass vaccination sites both crashed under the pressure of overwhelming demand. It was the same day that about 1 million additional residents became eligible for vaccinations. Gov. Charlie Baker said the state worked with a website vendor to improve server capacity and add the “digital waiting room” to help manage the heavy user load and prevent crashes. “You’re in line to schedule an appointment at multiple locations served by this provider. If your preferred location fills up, you’ll be able to search for a different location,” a message on the waiting room webpage reads.The site urges users to take the time to gather health insurance information if they have it. Baker said some users may be redirected to that waiting area, which will provide information about when they will be able to proceed.”It’s basically the equivalent of creating a line and people would then move from their position in the line onto the website,” Baker said. “It’s designed to basically keep the site running and operating and to make sure people can get through and have a smooth and uninterrupted experience.” Pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, are also expected to administer over 20,000 doses next week, the administration announced. Massachusetts residents between the ages of 65 and 74, those with two or more comorbidities and residents and staff of low-income housing or affordable senior housing became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last week.People aged 75 and older have been eligible to be vaccinated since Feb. 1. Massachusetts residents in Phase 1 groups are still eligible to be vaccinated, including health care workers, first responders and those living and working in long-term and congregate care settings. Massachusetts residents between the ages of 65 and 74, those with two or more comorbidities and residents and staff of low-income housing or affordable senior housing became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last week.People 75 and older have been eligible to be vaccinated since Feb. 1.
The 50,0000 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments that went online Thursday at mass vaccination sites were “nearly filled” within 90 minutes of their release, officials said.
Massachusetts officials provided the update as residents seeking appointments greeted by a new “digital waiting room” that displayed wait times of minutes, hours or even days.
“Due to a severely limited vaccine supply and a large population of individuals eligible to get a vaccine, this week’s 50,000 appointments at mass vaccination sites across the Commonwealth are nearly all filled,” the state said.
Officials urged residents unable to book an appointment to try again next week, adding “it may take several attempts over the course of a few weeks to get an open slot.”
The tens of thousands of new appointments were for vaccinations at mass vaccination sites at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium and in Dartmouth, Danvers, Natick and Springfield. State officials make new appointments at those state-run sites available on Thursdays.
One week ago, the state’s online directory of vaccine sites and the scheduling website for mass vaccination sites both crashed under the pressure of overwhelming demand. It was the same day that about 1 million additional residents became eligible for vaccinations.
Gov. Charlie Baker said the state worked with a website vendor to improve server capacity and add the “digital waiting room” to help manage the heavy user load and prevent crashes.
“You’re in line to schedule an appointment at multiple locations served by this provider. If your preferred location fills up, you’ll be able to search for a different location,” a message on the waiting room webpage reads.
The site urges users to take the time to gather health insurance information if they have it.
Baker said some users may be redirected to that waiting area, which will provide information about when they will be able to proceed.
“It’s basically the equivalent of creating a line and people would then move from their position in the line onto the website,” Baker said. “It’s designed to basically keep the site running and operating and to make sure people can get through and have a smooth and uninterrupted experience.”
Pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, are also expected to administer over 20,000 doses next week, the administration announced.
Massachusetts residents between the ages of 65 and 74, those with two or more comorbidities and residents and staff of low-income housing or affordable senior housing became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last week.
People aged 75 and older have been eligible to be vaccinated since Feb. 1. Massachusetts residents in Phase 1 groups are still eligible to be vaccinated, including health care workers, first responders and those living and working in long-term and congregate care settings.
Massachusetts residents between the ages of 65 and 74, those with two or more comorbidities and residents and staff of low-income housing or affordable senior housing became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last week.
People 75 and older have been eligible to be vaccinated since Feb. 1.