COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Biden Administration Launches COVID.gov

On March 30, the White House launched COVID.gov, a website meant to be a one-stop-shop for everything from locating free, high-quality masks and covid treatments to viewing local transmission levels. The website also provides information on test & treat locations, ordering free antigen tests, and where to find vaccines in your community. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Updates

For now, the best thing that we can all do to keep ourselves and those around us safe, is to get the booster shot when eligible and maintain other sensible precautions.

You can check if you are eligible for a booster using the eligibility tool at mass.gov/BoosterCheck.

Massachusetts residents are able to receive COVID-19 booster doses from more than 460 locations, including over 450 retail pharmacies, and state-sponsored COVID-19 booster locations. To schedule an appointment use the VaxFinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of locations across the state for vaccines for kids and boosters for adults.

COVID Testing

If you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to the virus, it is important to get tested. Find a testing site near you here.

Cambridge will be receiving over 43,000 at home rapid COVID test through the Governor’s recently announced plan to distribute over 2 million test to the communities most impacted by COVID.

I will continue to provide updates on my website at repdaverogers.com/covid-19-updates

COVID-19 Vaccination Reports

The Daily COVID-19 Vaccine Report includes the most currently available information on vaccine doses shipped, the number of vaccine doses administered, including the number of people partially and fully vaccinated, and the percent of total doses administered. Additional data on vaccines are published in the Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report and the Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Report each Thursday by 5pm. 

The Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report includes more granular information by geography, demographic factors, and more. The Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Data Sets include information on individuals vaccinated for COVID-19 by their zip code and city or town of residence. The data includes age, sex and race/ethnicity characteristics of vaccinated individuals.

The Daily Report is updated each day at 4 PM. Information as of Thursday, April 21, 2022.

Doses shipped to MA providers (MIIS)	7,894,095
Doses shipped to pharmacies directly from the Federal Government	8,686,475
Grand total doses shipped to MA	16,580,570
# of people with at least 1 dose of Moderna or Pfizer(MIIS)	5,839,889
# of people fully vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer (MIIS)	5,007,090
# of people fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson (MIIS)	342,764
Booster Doses Administered	2,980,433
Additional Booster Doses Administered	211,359
# of people fully vaccinated with existing COVID-19 vaccines	5,349,854
Grand total doses administered (MIIS)	14,381,535

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Updates

With so much unknown about the virus, the best thing that we can all do is get our booster when we become eligible.

ARLINGTON RESIDENTS: You can sign up here for a town booster clinic on December 6th.

SOMERVILLE VACCINE SITE: You can make a booster appointment through the Cambridge Health Alliance here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Updates  

In accordance with the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eligible Massachusetts residents can access Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots.  

Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots are now available to:

• Individuals 65 years and older
• Individuals 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Individuals 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Individuals 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots are now available to:

• All individuals 18 and older who received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago.

You can check if they are eligible for a booster using the eligibility tool at mass.gov/BoosterCheck.

CDC recommendations now allow for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster.

You can view more information from the CDC here.

Visit the VaxFinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of locations.  

Who can get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

EVERYONE AGES 5 YEARS OR OLDER IS ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED. 

People who are ages 5-17 years

People ages 5-17 years can only get the Pfizer vaccine.

A parent or guardian does not need to go with the minor to their vaccination appointment to give consent. If a parent or guardian is not accompanying the minor, they should download and complete a pre-vaccination screening form, available at mass.gov/CDCScreeningForm. The form is available in several languages.

 Updated information about COVID-19 vaccinations for people under age 18 is on this website. 

How can eligible individuals get the vaccine?

Steps to book an appointment:

1. Visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/
2. Select a location and schedule an appointment online or see walk-in availability.
3. Bring your ID and your insurance card to your appointment. (You are not required to have either of these.)
4. Fill out the self-attestation form, which will need to be presented at your appointment.

The Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line 

All residents may call 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 and follow the prompts to reach the Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line in order to schedule an appointment. The Line operates Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and is available in English, Spanish, and about 100 other languages. 

Mobile Vaccination Services

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is now more convenient than ever. Mobile pop-up vaccination clinics are happening in cities and towns across MA – at community centers, auditoriums, parks, and other locations. Dates and locations can be found here. 

DPH is offering organizations the option to easily vaccinate groups. Mobile vaccination services are available for employers, schools, community organizations, priority populations, and other groups. For more information on hosting a mobile pop-up vaccination clinic, click here. 

Booster Shots:

Where to get a booster: Massachusetts residents can access booster doses from more than 1,000 locations, with appointments available now for booking across the Commonwealth. The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. Individuals do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster and do not need to show a vaccine card when getting a booster.  Additional information on the COVID-booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/COVID19booster.

How to Get a Booster:

1. Parents who prefer to have their adolescent vaccinated by their primary care provider should call their provider’s office directly.
2. Visit the Vaxfinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of locations to receive a booster. Residents are able to narrow results to search for locations that are offering boosters. Many locations will be booking appointments out weeks in advance.
3. For individuals who are unable to use Vaxfinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9AM-2PM) by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts is available for assistance. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.

Additional COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Sites

On December 28, 2021, the Baker Administration announced additional state-sponsored COVID-19 vaccine and booster locations in Boston, Roxbury, Lynn, and Taunton. All sites are currently open. Eligible residents aged 5+ can receive their primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations and residents aged 12+ can receive their booster shots at these locations. 

• Fenway Park: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA
  • The Fenway Park vaccine and booster clinic has the capacity to administer 1,300 doses daily. Appointments are available now by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov with walk-ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site.
  • Administering primary series for individuals 5+, as well as boosters.
  • Cataldo Ambulance will serve as the provider.
• Roxbury: Melnea Cass Recreation Complex, 120 MLK Jr Blvd, Boston, MA
  • The Melnea Cass Recreation Complex vaccine and booster clinic has the capacity to administer 400 doses daily. Appointments are available now by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov with walk-ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site.
  • Administering Pfizer primary series for individuals 5+, as well as Pfizer boosters.
  • Fallon Ambulance will serve as the provider.
• Roxbury: Whittier Street Health Center, 1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA
  • The Whittier Street Health Center COVID-19 vaccination clinic has the capacity to administer 500 doses daily. Appointments are available now by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov with walk-ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site.
  • Administering primary series for individuals 5+, as well as boosters.
•  Lynn: North Shore Community College, Modular Building at 300 Broad Street, Lynn, MA
  • The North Shore Community College vaccine and booster clinic has the capacity to administer 400 doses daily. Appointments are available now by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov with walk-ins also accepted. Language translation services will be available on site.
  • Administering primary series for individuals 5+, as well as boosters.
  • Cataldo Ambulance will serve as the provider.
• Taunton: Taunton COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, 2005 Bay Street, Taunton, MA
  • The Taunton COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic has the capacity to administer 400 doses daily. Appointments are available now by visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov. Language translation services will be available on site.
  • Administering primary series for individuals 5+, as well as boosters.
  • Brewster Ambulance will serve as the provider.

F.D.A. Updates Emergency Use Authorization and Allows Second Coronavirus Boosters for Everyone 50 and Older

On March 29, the F.D.A. authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines under the following circumstances: 

• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
• A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

Following the F.D.A.’s announcement, the C.D.C. updated its vaccine guidance to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Additionally, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the J&J vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. 

New Vaccine Tech Coming to Massachusetts

Recently in an interview, Governor Baker discussed a scannable quick response code, commonly known as a QR code, is being looked into by the Commonwealth to show a person’s vaccination status and be made available for others to scan and verify.

A few people have reached out to my office asking whether this is a sign of a statewide vaccine mandate. The Baker administration has clarified that the goal of this project is to create a single QR code that can be used for all sorts of things where people may choose to require a vaccine.