All Massachusetts residents can now get COVID-19 vaccine after state requires insurers to cover the cost 

Massachusetts has become the first state in the nation to mandate that COVID-19 vaccines remain available, accessible and covered by insurance for all residents — without a prescription. 

Less than a week ago, it was unclear to many residents if and how they could access this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine, and whether their insurance would cover it.

But by Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey had directed insurers to cover COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccines recommended under state guidelines. In a press conference, Healey stated that “we can no longer trust the federal government” to “protect the public health of residents in Massachusetts.” 

Following new federal restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine access, Massachusetts officials took a series of actions to uncouple state public health policy around vaccines from that at the federal level. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Massachusetts insurance carriers will be required to cover vaccines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Healt, including the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• The state’s DPH now has the authority to set its own policies for vaccine recommendations. 

• DPH Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein issued a standing order (prescription) to allow pharmacies to continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents age 5+.

• Children under age 5 will need to receive their COVID-19 vaccine from their pediatrician. 

• The DPH updated its vaccine administration policy to allow the commissioner to decide which routine vaccines can be administered in Massachusetts by pharmacy professionals. Previously, Massachusetts pharmacists were only allowed to administer vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

• Residents can now schedule appointments to receive updated COVID-19 vaccines at CVS, Walgreens, and other local pharmacies where available. 

Officials made clear that insurance carriers doing business in Massachusetts — and residents — should now look to the MA DPH for vaccine guidance.

Goldstein shared that “Massachusetts is charting a different course — one that is rooted in science, evidence and a deeply held responsibility to protect the health and safety of our residents and communities.”

Goldstein, who previously served as a senior policy advisor for the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic, asserted that “science must guide public health.”

“Vaccines are the greatest public health advance of our time,” Goldstein continued. “They prevent illness, they prevent suffering, they prevent death. To restrict access to vaccines is reckless. To play politics with vaccines is dangerous… our state will not bend to the partisan decisions made in Washington that are putting our communities at risk.”

Dr. Angela Fowler, associate medical director for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at MA DPH’s Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, explained to the Waltham Times that “COVID-19 vaccines are critical tools to prevent serious disease and death caused by COVID-19.  

“Severe COVID-19 disease can occur in children and is particularly prevalent in younger children or those less than 2 years of age,” Fowler continued.  “COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children and adults and are effective in preventing severe illness and death caused by COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines also protect children from Long COVID, may reduce illness-related school absenteeism and reduce transmission of infection to others.”

The state has not yet released 2025-26 COVID-19 guidance, but officials recommend that Massachusetts residents continue to follow the state’s 2024-25 recommendations: “everyone 6 months and older should get an updated… COVID-19 vaccine.” 

According to Goldstein, residents can expect updated state guidelines “by the end of this month.”

Updated COVID-19 vaccines for those ages 5 and older are available now at the following Waltham locations — no prescription required:

• Charles River Community Health, 43 Foundry Ave.:

(781) 693-3800

Waltham residents who are existing Charles River Community Health patients can contact the clinic to schedule a vaccine appointment. Those who are not yet patients at Charles River are also encouraged to contact the center to access care and vaccines.

• CVS Pharmacy, 12 Harvard St:

(781) 894-4522

• CVS Pharmacy, 51 Linden St:

(781) 894-1600

• CVS Pharmacy, 800 Lexington St:

(781) 893-2070

• Walgreens, 15 Main St:

781-642-8711

• Walgreens, 20 Weston St:

781-891-9525

• Watch City Pharmacy, 923 Main St.: 

781-472-2281

• More pharmacies can be found at https://vaccinefinder.org/