Top COVID-19 News

^{Amid the pandemic, news is fast-moving – and sometimes confusing. Coverage is here to help. Our new series provides a clear, fact-based digest of the top news for health consumers.}

A third safe, effective vaccine is authorized

Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA, joining Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in the country’s arsenal to fight the pandemic. The company plans to start shipping 4 million doses this week, with 20 million doses delivered by the end of March, and a total of 100 million doses promised by late June, thanks to a new partnership with the pharmaceutical giant Merck, which will help manufacture the vaccine. "Here’s what all this means," President Biden said yesterday: "We’re now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May."

What do we know about it? The vaccine was developed by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceutica in collaboration with Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. It is given in a single dose, is authorized for adults 18 and over, and can be stored in an ordinary refrigerator, making it far easier to administer. Like the other authorized vaccines, in clinical trials it proved 100% effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death. The Moderna, Pfizer and J&J vaccines are not interchangeable, according to current CDC guidance, so when you’re eligible to get your shot, don’t get more than one type of vaccine.

More vaccination sites in Massachusetts

Continuing efforts to vaccinate those at highest risk of getting severely ill from the virus, the state will be opening a new mass vaccination site on Cape Cod, where councils on aging will help identify high-risk individuals who are eligible to receive a vaccination. In Boston, Boston Medical Center has launched sites in Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Roslindale and the South End that are focused on serving residents who live in the city. The state’s health systems also have been given the greenlight to vaccinate their eligible patients.

How can you book an appointment? Eligible residents can book appointments at state sites here, though demand continues to outpace supply, so appointments are limited.

By the numbers

The state’s 7-day positive test average has dipped to 1.7%, and the death and hospitalization rates also have sharply declined since the winter holidays. However, all three metrics remain above the lows of the summer. Nationally, the recent data shows a period of steady declines now slowing, with infections stalling at a high plateau.

How’s the vaccination rate? As of March 1, more than 2 million doses of vaccine have been shipped to Massachusetts and more than 85% has been administered, putting the state among the top tier in the country. More than a half-million people have received both doses in Massachusetts, and 1.2M have received a first dose. Nationally, the rate of manufacturing, distribution and administration also continues to increase, with nearly 77 million doses given so far.

Reopening in Massachusetts

Amid healthy trends, Massachusetts is easing restrictions on businesses and events. Starting March 1, theaters, concert halls and indoor recreational sites can reopen at 50% capacity, and restaurants can operate with no COVID-related capacity limits, although six-foot social distancing, limits of six people per table and 90-minute limits remain in place. Sports venues that hold 5,000 people or more will be able to open at 12% capacity starting March 22.

However: Bay Staters must continue to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are encouraged to avoid contact outside of their immediate households, Gov. Charlie Baker said. As infectious variants continue to spread, the CDC is urging the public not to let down our guard, and to maintain public health measures that have been effective in protecting the vulnerable.