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Massachusetts to vaccinate people in congregate care settings, prisons


Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts will begin vaccinating people living and working in congregate care facilities and prisons. (NECN)
Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts will begin vaccinating people living and working in congregate care facilities and prisons. (NECN)
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Gov. Charlie Baker said Massachusetts will begin vaccinating people living and working in congregate care facilities and prisons on Monday.

The facilities include residential congregate care programs, groups homes, residential treatment programs, community-based acute residential treatment programs and clinical stabilization programs. Shelter programs -- including homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and veteran shelters -- will also be included.

State prisons will also start receiving vaccines this week. There are about 6,500 inmates in the state.

Baker said the state is prioritizing those facilities because there are groups of high-risk people living and working together.

Massachusetts has used about two-thirds of the state's vaccine doses so far, prompting criticism from some lawmakers who say other states are moving faster.

"Honestly, I just don't t think that's the way we should do this. I think the focus early on should be on those who have the most to lose," Baker said.

"The biggest concern that I have is a very significant chunk of our vaccines have yet to be delivered even though they’re on hand," said state Rep. Mike Connolly, D-Cambridge.

Health care workers who aren't on the frontlines will be the next to be vaccinated in Massachusetts. That's expected to start next month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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