Incoming Single-Dose Vaccines To Boost State Rollout: Baker

BOSTON — Massachusetts expects to receive its first shipment of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week, something Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday would "dramatically boost" the state's vaccination efforts — even if it takes some time.

While the state is hoping for thousands of doses of the single-shot vaccine next week, more significant amounts won't get here until late in the month. There will be a "pause" between deliveries as the company ramps up production.

Still, Baker was optimistic about the new vaccine while speaking at Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan, where a local vaccination effort has administered about 1,000 shots so far.

"One of the things you'll see with J&J is the ability to do certain kinds of things that would be hard to do now," Baker said.

That's largely because the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just a single dose, unlike Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines, which need two shots a few weeks apart.

"Having another effective vaccine for all eligible residents produced by a third manufacturer should mean a big increase in the number of vaccines that are available for first doses or single doses," Baker said

The first doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were being shipped across the country Monday morning. The vaccine is 66 percent effective overall against COVID-19, but 85 percent effective at preventing serious illness and completely effective at preventing death.

Baker echoed comments from federal health officials that people shouldn't be picky in choosing which vaccine they receive.

"If you have a chance to get vaccinated, you should take it, whatever it is," he said.

About 2 million vaccines overall have shipped to Massachusetts. But even as Johnson & Johnson doses start filtering in, the demand will still outpace the supply, Baker said.

Baker also defended the state's reopening amid warnings from federal health officials that states could be moving too quickly. The governor pointed to declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations over the past two months as to why it's time to move forward.

Still, Baker said people need to remain cautious.

"This doesn’t mean people can or should let down their guard," he said.

Materials from State House News Service contributed to this report