Emerson students eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting April 19

A+sign+of+the+COVID+testing+site+of+Emerson+College+and+Tufts+University.

Hongyu Liu

A sign of the COVID testing site of Emerson College and Tufts University.

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor

Emerson students are slated to be eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine starting April 19, along with the rest of the general public. 

The completed vaccination rollout timeline for all remaining Massachusetts residents was announced by Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday. The timeline comes after weeks of backlash against Baker’s handling of vaccine distribution, such as difficulty scheduling appointments, halting distribution to hospitals to supply pharmacies and vaccination sights, and conflicts with essential workers over their eligibility. With only 13.7 percent of the population fully vaccinated, Massachusetts ranks 22nd in the nation as of March 10, according to the Boston Globe. 

Starting April 19, all residents ages 16 and older will be eligible to receive one of the three approved vaccines—only ten days before the end of Emerson’s spring semester. Within that short timeframe, if Emerson’s vaccine provider, Tufts Medical Center, receives doses of the vaccine before residence halls close, students may only be able to receive one shot while on campus. The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines require two doses weeks apart, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccines require just one dose. 

According to the vaccination plan, K-12 teachers have been eligible for the vaccine since the beginning of March. However, professors fall under the “general population” category and will be eligible to receive their vaccinations along with students starting April 19. 

 “Certain workers” such as restaurant, cafe, grocery and convenience store workers, and retail workers, along with people over 60, will be eligible for the vaccine starting March 22.

Residents 55 and older and those 16 and above with select medical conditions will be eligible starting April 5. 

Residents can pre-register to book appointments for vaccines on the state’s vaccination website. Appointments will be offered according to eligibility and availability, and more updates and registration websites will be available in April.