Stateâs ambitious vaccine campaign hinges on more companies winning FDA approval
Vaccinating 5 million residents depends on factors beyond Massachusettsâ control
By Robert Weisman and Deanna Pan Globe Staff,Updated December 10, 2020, 6:56 p.m.
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Registered nurse Winter Drury cared for a patient in the COVID intensive care unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
The success of Governor Charlie Bakerâs plan for the largest public vaccination in Massachusetts history hinges on critical factors outside the stateâs control, including approval of more COVID-19 vaccines in addition to the two developed by Pfizer and Moderna, health officials said Thursday.
After the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, Massachusetts public health officials built a state-of-the-art data system for its vaccine programs. That system soon will be put to the test as the state deploys its COVID-19 immunization campaign.
The Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) facilitates vaccine ordering and also tracks the status of patients receiving the vaccine. It is designed to offer patients helpful reminders for when they need to get the critical final dose of the vaccine. The two vaccines one from Moderna, the other from Pfizer expected to be distributed to certain Massachusetts residents in the coming months require two doses given weeks apart to effectively provide protection against the coronavirus.