After taking shots, top legislators get theirs
The two top Democrats at the State House have been critical of Gov. Charlie Baker’s vaccine rollout, even lamenting the early clunkiness of the appointment website as they tried to book appointments for themselves when they became eligible last month.
But both House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have managed to get their first dose of vaccine, according to aides to the legislative leaders.
A senior aide to Mariano told the News Service Friday that the Quincy Democrat had received his first dose and was “looking forward to his second one,” but declined to provide details on when the House leader was vaccinated, where he got an appointment or what brand of vaccine he received.
Spilka’s staff similarly declined to provide details of the Ashland Democrat’s vaccination except to release a statement from the president indicating she was “fortunate enough to find an appointment and recently receive my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Both offices explained their decision for not releasing further details as one related to not wanting to disclose “personal medical information.”
“I want to thank the many health care workers who have dedicated countless hours to fighting this pandemic and who are working hard to get life-saving vaccines into people’s arms,” Spilka said in a statement to the News Service. “Health experts have encouraged everyone who is eligible to get the vaccine when it’s available to them — and I echo that call.” “I know the process has been inequitable and frustrating for many. I remain committed to raising those concerns and advocating for a vaccination plan that is accessible for all resident,” she continued.
Mariano, 74, and Spilka, 68, both became eligible to be vaccinated on Feb. 18 when the state opened up the process for people age 65 to 74. As 1 million new residents became eligible that morning, the state’s appointment booking website crashed causing delays, frustration and anger among residents trying to get vaccinated, though more than 60,000 people were eventually able to secure appointments that day.
“As one of the 1 million residents that became eligible to book my COVID-19 vaccines appointments today, I was disappointed to experience difficulties with the VaxFinder website. We all have the responsibility to get our shots as soon as we can. I look forward to a productive oversight hearing next week, where we’ll address problems that delay the fair and accessible distribution of vaccines,” Mariano said at the time.
Spilka was also critical, at the time describing herself as “deeply disappointed that today so many Massachusetts residents are feeling frustration and anger on a day when we should be experiencing hope.”