Updated 18 mins ago
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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday said people aged 12 to 15 years old can begin getting vaccinated with Pfizer s COVID-19 vaccine starting this week if a key federal committee approves its use for that age group.
Baker said during a press conference at Moderna s Norwood facility that, pending approval, some 400,000 residents in the age group would be able to make appointments for Pfizer vaccine shots or visit walk-in clinics starting Thursday. Download our mobile app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather.
A key CDC advisory panel is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to recommend the vaccine s use for kids in that age group. States could begin administering shots in adolescents on Thursday.
Opioid overdose deaths among Black men in Massachusetts spike 69% during COVID pandemic, new data shows
Updated 10:36 AM;
The COVID pandemic has exacerbated substance use issues across Massachusetts, and new data from the Department of Public Health shows that Black men of color have seen the highest number of opioid overdose deaths in 2020.
Preliminary data released on Wednesday shows that overall overdose deaths in Massachusetts increased 5% in 2020 compared to 2019, reversing a downward trend that’s been observed since 2016. There were 2,104 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, which is up 102 from the previous year and slightly above the previous peak of 2,102 in 2016, the data shows.