State's Vaccine Shipment Arrives In Time, Appointments Still On

Coronavirus vaccination appointments will continue as scheduled after the state received its shipment of doses from the federal government, a supply that was thought to be delayed until next week.

The COVID-19 Command Center said Friday afternoon a shipment of 135,025 doses of the vaccine arrived, just one day after warning it would not get here until Monday due to winter weather.

As a result, providers will not have to cancel appointments due to lack of supply, the state said.

"The [Baker] Administration appreciates the efforts made to get this critical shipment here and is not anticipating additional delays from the federal government for vaccine shipments at this time," the Command Center said in a statement. "Going forward, Governor Baker urges the federal government to provide larger shipments and more lead time for the state, so more eligible residents can get their shots as quickly and safely as possible."

The news of a potential delay first surfaced Thursday morning, when Baker told the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce the state might see a "significant delay." He said he was considering sending the National Guard to Kentucky and Tennessee to retrieve the doses — but it never had to come to that.