70 Percent of Massachusetts Adults Vaccinated Against COVID
The CDC recently reported that ten states, most of them in the northeast portion of the country, have achieved the Biden Administration’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the adult population with at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Public health experts generally agree that herd immunity is reached when 70 to 80 percent of the populace has been inoculated against a contagious pathogen. Herd immunity makes it possible to protect all people from a disease, including those who can’t be vaccinated, such as newborns or those who have compromised immune systems.
The federal administration has set a goal of vaccinating nearly three quarters of the U.S. adult population with at least one dose by July 4th. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisory to the President, said recently that he believes the July 4th target is realistic and will be attained. The 10 states to reach that goal today include Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont in the Northeast; New Mexico in the Southwest; and Hawaii in the Far West.
“The achievement of these ten states not only bodes well for the country as whole, but it is very good news for those contemplating attending the NAPCO 2021 Annual Leadership Academy and Conference in Boston in late August,” Judge John L. Russo, NAPCO Board Chairperson, commented. “In any respect, however,” he added, “ NAPCO is committed to following all CDC guidelines for in-person gatherings at our meeting in Boston.”
Nationwide, CDC data shows nearly 50% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and nearly 40% of the population is fully vaccinated. “Another positive sign NAPCO’s Boston 2021 Leadership Conference is moving toward greater normalcy is the fact that effective May 29, the Massachusetts statewide order requiring masks will be rescinded,” Gordon Griller, NAPCO Executive Director, observed. Masks are still mandated in the Commonwealth for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, commuter rail and transportation stations), in healthcare and correctional facilities, K-12 public schools, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregant care settings.