Eligibility for new vaccine in Massachusetts stimulates dozens of Craigslist offers

Thursday marked the first day that fellow Massachusetts residents over 75 with an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine could apply to be vaccinated at the same time at one of the state’s mass vaccination sites.

Authorities say the new eligibility, designed to encourage more people in the 75+ group to be vaccinated, is aimed at trusted friends and family, who can provide some comfort to older people who would otherwise be concerned with the logistics of get the vaccine by themselves.

But it appears to have had some unintended, though predictable, consequences.

Several dozen advertisements on Craigslist in the Boston area and other parts of Massachusetts have emerged since the policy was announced on Wednesday, offering seniors anonymously free rides for their vaccines so that they too could be vaccinated; some are even offering to pay cash – up to $ 200 – for the opportunity.

“Completely normal for your state’s vaccination plan to create a market on Craigslist for people willing to pay to take the elderly to their appointments,” Rep. Steven Owens, Democrat of Watertown, said in a tweet on Thursday morning , with more than a hint of sarcasm.

Totally normal for your state’s vaccination plan to create a market on Craigslist for people willing to pay to take seniors to their appointments. pic.twitter.com/5CosCWsz30

– Steve Owens (@VoteSteveOwens) February 11, 2021

Governor Charlie Baker, who announced the new policy on Wednesday, said at a news conference on Thursday that it was “very disturbing” that people were “trying to take advantage of this program” and urged the elderly not to seek such offers.

“If you are 75 or older and need help during the vaccination process, you should only contact someone you know or trust to bring you as your partner,” said Baker, reiterating that the policy is intended to someone like a child, spouse, neighbor or caregiver.

“Don’t take calls or offers from people you don’t know well or trust and never share your personal information with anyone,” said the Republican governor. “If you are contacted by someone asking to take you to a website, report it to the authorities.”

Baker argued on Wednesday that the new eligibility for companions “will make it easier” for the state to expand vaccine implantation to additional groups in Phase 2 of the implantation, accelerating the vaccination rate of people over 75. Yet, several legislators he said Thursday that he does so at the expense of justice and potentially even security.

“Yes, this will improve efficiency, but it is an incoherent policy that puts #equity even more out of reach (and potentially endangers the elderly), ”tweeted state deputy Mike Connolly, a Cambridge Democrat.

See: “The buddy system”. If only we had a good manager with experience in health responsible for the state’s vaccination program. Yes, this will improve efficiency, but it is an incoherent policy that puts #equity even more out of reach (and potentially endangers the elderly). pic.twitter.com/SOMbPScjaN

– Mike Connolly (@MikeConnollyMA) February 11, 2021