Massachusetts has launched a form asking residents to self-attest to their eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. EAGLE FILE PHOTO
In a piecemeal national vaccine rollout, where states decide their own timelines and processes, Stephen Feingold feels caught in the middle.
Feingold, 64, has lived in Stockbridge since the coronavirus pandemic began. With two comorbidities, he falls into Phase Two.
But, his primary care doctor is in New York City, his driverâs license still reads Connecticut, and for more than a month he has been trying to work out the puzzle: Should he prepare his tax bill? Get a note from his doctor? Give up and get vaccinated in New York or Connecticut?
PITTSFIELD Berkshire hospital executives and public health officials have joined together to develop a streamlined vaccination plan for later phases of the rollout, which could see as many as
STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN â THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN â THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues, with congregate care staff and residents up next. But the vast majority of Berkshire County residents are not yet eligible for the vaccine, and strict eligibility restrictions have prompted frustration and questions. Even as other states kick off vaccinations for anyone 65 and older, local officials are required to follow the commonwealth s timeline.
State officials have estimated that the vaccination process will last until June, but local officials say there are too many moving factors to predict when the region might reach a high enough vaccination rate to return to normal life. So far, the county has received enough vaccine for more than 6 percent of its residents, though not all doses have been administered yet.
Tri-Town Health Department, the regional department serving Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge, is urging patience as confusion greets the slow-motion rollout of coronavirus vaccine countywide.
Responding to a âmassive numberâ of inquiries from residents, Tri-Town Health Executive Director James Wilusz sent a message to community leaders on Thursday offering reassurance that âwe hear their voices and we are all working hard.â
The message followed the listing on a state website of a vaccination clinic at the Berkshire Community College Field House that omitted language indicating it was only for first responders. More than 100 ineligible residents signed up for Thursday appointments but those were canceled after registrants were informed that the clinic was not open to the general public.
PITTSFIELD â The effort to vaccinate first responders moved forward on Tuesday, when almost 300 police, fire and emergency medical services officials were signed up to receive their first dose at the Berkshire Community College field house, a city health leader said.
âWeâre really at the beginning, the beginning of the end, to get everybody vaccinated and back to normal,â said Pittsfield Fire Chief Tom Sammons.
Sammons spoke a few minutes before he was scheduled to get his first shot of the vaccine. Public Health Director Gina Armstrong said he was among about 270 first responders scheduled to be vaccinated at the site on Tuesday.