DPH issues state-specific COVID vaccine recommendations

As vaccination rates continue to go down nationwide, Massachusetts Governor Mora Healey is putting her out her own vaccine guidance to help increase immunizations. 22 News reporter Kaylee Thomas is live in studio with the latest recommendations for the Bay State. Christina Governor Healey said this new guidance will help make sure everyone has access to the CO 19 vaccine. Over,200 new COVID 19 cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts between August 31st and September 6th. This alarming number comes as President Donald Trump and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have been restricting access to co vaccines and making cuts to public health across the country. >> We're the healthc care leader in this country. And we're not going to let Donald Trump or RFK Jr. stand between patients and the care that they need and want. >> Under the state's new guidance, people recommended to get the COVID vaccine include all children between 6 and 23 months old, all adults, pregnant or lactating women, people with compromised immune systems and health care workers. >> There was a process to come to these recommendations. It's a process backed by science and evidence. It's a process that should be trusted and a process that we're putting out transparently. The guidance comes before a federal vaccine advisory panel is set to vote on its own slate of recommendations. DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein earlier this month issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to vaccinate all eligible individuals to receive their COVID shot. At retailies like CVS and Walgreens as a step to ensure vaccines remain available to everyone. >> Bottom line in Massachusetts, if you want a vaccine, you'll get a vaccine. Over the course of the next two days, national vaccine recommendations will be voted on in Washington DC with CO shots on Friday's agenda. working for you. Kelly Thomas, 22 News.