More Union Workers Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Under New MA Distribution Timeline

Starting yesterday, March 22, more union workers can book COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

MA’s New COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline

On March 17, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced a new COVID-19 vaccine distribution timeline. Under the new timeline, “certain workers” are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as of March 22.

Therefore, if you are a previously ineligible union worker you may be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment soon.

Which Union Workers are Part of New Certain Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Group?

To clarify, under the new certain workers eligibility group, union workers in these categories may book COVID-19 vaccine appointments beginning March 22:

• Restaurant or cafe workers
• Food, meatpacking, beverage, agriculture, consumer goods, retail, or food service workers
• Grocery and convenience store workers
• Food pantry workers or volunteers
• Medical supply chain workers
• Vaccine development workers
• Transit/transportation workers
• Public works, water, wastewater, or utility workers
• Sanitation workers
• Public health workers
• Court system worker (judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks), other than court officers who are listed under first responders
• Funeral directors and funeral workers

See your job listed above? It is time to book an appointment!

I’m Eligible! How Do I Make a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment?

Making an appointment is simple.

Anyone can preregister for a mass vaccination (MassVax) appointment (even those who are currently ineligible).

Alternatively, you can use the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Finder (Vaxfinder) to search for appointments at other locations. Retail pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations provide vaccines too.

There is a high demand for the vaccine and a low supply of doses. You might not find an appointment the first time you search for one. Thus, it is best to be proactive.

Preregister for a MassVax Appointment

What are MassVax sites? MassVax sites are large vaccination sites. For this reason, they vaccinate the most people and offer the most appointments. MassVax sites include Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park.

Eligible and ineligible union workers can preregister for a MassVax COVID-19 vaccine appointment using the Commonwealth’s preregistration system. By entering your information into the system, you will be sent weekly appointment availability updates.

Once you are eligible, and an appointment is available, you will be notified. From then, you have 24 hours to book your vaccine appointment.

If you find an appointment elsewhere you can opt-out of the preregistration system at any time.

You can only preregister for a MassVax appointment!

Retail Pharmacies, Health Care Providers, & Other Community Locations

Do not want to go to a MassVax location? Want to increase your chances of getting a COVID-19 vaccine ASAP? Use Vaxfinder to search for appointments at other locations.

Retailers including CVS, Walgreens, Wegmans, and Stop & Shop offer a limited amount of appointments and availability is updated daily.

Community centers (schools, fairgrounds, etc.) and certain healthcare centers offer vaccines in limited quantities too. Sometimes these locations have additional requirements such as town residency.

You can use Vaxfinder even if you are preregistered for a MassVax appointment. If you find an appointment via Vaxfinder, opt-out of MassVax notifications.

Turns Out I’m Not Part of the Certain Worker Group. When Can I Get Vaccinated for COVID-19?

First, check to make sure you are not part of an eligible group under Phase 1. Members of these groups became eligible in December 2020.

Next, check your eligibility under Phase 2. The number of eligible workers in Phase 2 has grown. Educators became eligible for vaccines on March 11. Individuals 60 or older and, as mentioned previously, certain workers became eligible on March 22.

If you are not a member of any current eligibility group, hope is on the horizon.

Beginning April 5, individuals 55 or older and people with 1 certain medical condition may book their vaccine appointments.

Finally, Phase 3 of the vaccine rollout will begin on April 19. At this time, all remaining Massachusetts residents will be eligible for the vaccine.

Not Eligible? Here’s What You Can Do in the Meantime.

• Preregister – Ineligible for the vaccine? You can still preregister for a MassVax appointment. The system will not offer you an appointment until you are eligible.
• Help loved ones book vaccine appointments/preregister – Especially, lend a hand to friends and family members who aren’t very tech-savvy.
• Wear a mask & practice social distancing – Most important, keep wearing your mask and social distance to protect yourself and others from the virus! More Americans are vaccinated each day, but COVID-19 is still a serious concern. Even vaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing in public areas, per the CDC’s new guidelines.

Have You Contracted COVID-19 at Work? We Can Help.

Keches Law Group is committed to fighting for injured union members. This includes ironworkers, nurses, plumbers, electricians, and hundreds of other hard-working laborers.

Above all, employees who contract COVID-19 while at work may be eligible for workers’ compensation depending on a variety of factors.

Do you think you have a claim? Keches Law Group can help! Contact us today.