Vaccine Information
About the COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccines are safe and are one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick from COVID-19. The vaccine DOES NOT contain the virus that causes COVID-19, so it can’t make you sick. That said, you may experience mild side effects after getting the vaccine, but this is a sign that your body is learning how to protect you.
Click here to learn more about vaccine safety, how the COVID-19 vaccine was developed, and how it works.
When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline in consultation with the Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group. Please note that the latest vaccine updates in Massachusetts can be found directly on the Commonwealth’s website. As the vaccine rollout continues, it is always best to check there for the most up-to-date information on the vaccine distribution timeline, vaccine locations, the Weekly MA COVID-19 Vaccination Report, and information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan includes three phases. According to the Administration, this vaccination timeline is meant to reflect several priorities: protecting our most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden. If your group is not specifically listed in either Phase 1 or Phase 2, you will be eligible to receive the vaccine in Phase 3.
You can also use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker tool on the Commonwealth’s website.
Here are a few additional things to know:
The vaccine is free (you will never be asked to pay or provide credit card information)
Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts can get a vaccine
You can get vaccinated even if you are undocumented and getting a vaccine WILL NOT impact you or your family’s immigration status.
How and where can I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
There are two different ways to find a vaccine appointment:
Use VaxFinder.mass.gov to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations. Simply the find a location using the zip code search function.
Preregister at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when it's your turn to schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination location: Hynes Convention Center, Gillette Stadium, Reggie Lewis Center, DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Natick Mall and former Circuit City in Dartmouth.
Massachusetts’ preregistration system has made it easier to request and schedule an appointment at one of the state’s mass vaccination locations. People can preregister for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at mass vaccination locations only. More locations will be added to the system in April.
Once you sign up for preregistration, you’ll receive weekly status updates. You can opt out at any time if you find an appointment elsewhere. Once an appointment is available, you’ll be contacted with the opportunity to book the appointment and have 24 hours to accept it.Please note that Massachusetts receives a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government each week. Due to high demand and limited supply, it may take several weeks to schedule an appointment or to be notified that an appointment is available at mass vaccination locations.
Learn more about how to pre-register for a vaccine appointment here.
Anyone who is unable to use or is having difficulty accessing the internet to schedule an appointment can call 2-1-1 to speak to a representative live on the phone to assist them with an appointment via the state’s online system. Hours of operation for the call line will be Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The call line is available in both English and Spanish and will have translators available to support residents in approximately 100 additional languages.
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In-home vaccinations are also available to individuals who are not able to leave their home to get to a vaccination site, even with assistance via the Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program. These homebound individuals either:
require ambulance or two-person assistance to leave the home; or
are not able to leave the home for medical appointments under normal circumstances; or
have considerable difficulty and/or require significant support to leave the home for medical appointment.
If you support individuals who are homebound, you may refer them to the State Homebound Vaccination Central Intake Line (1-833-983-0485) to be screened for appropriateness for an in-home vaccine. Please note, many local Boards of Health are managing their own homebound vaccination programs for their community. The Central Intake Line will help connect any homebound individual from across the Commonwealth with the right resource. If in-home vaccination is appropriate, individuals will be registered with the State Homebound Vaccine Provider, Commonwealth Care Alliance, or referred to their local Board of Health based on where they live.
How to Prepare for Your Vaccine Appointment
Once you have your important, it is important to prepare. Please review the appointment guide in advance.
Bring your insurance card and an ID with your name if you have them. You can still get the vaccine if you don’t have an ID or insurance.
You will also need to confirm that you are in a group that can get the vaccine– this is called “attesting.”
Depending on where you book your appointment, you may attest differently.
You may be asked to attest online or over the phone when booking.
If you are not asked when booking, you will be asked to attest when you arrive at your appointment. Vaccination locations will likely have an attestation form available, however, you can fill out the COVID-19 Massachusetts Vaccination Attestation Form and bring it with you to your appointment to be prepared.
You will not need copies of medical records or a note from your doctor or health care provider to confirm you are eligible.
Questions?
I understand there are a lot of questions about this vaccine and the rollout both nationally and here in Massachusetts. You can find COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions on the Commonwealth’s website, covering everything from what you need to know before, during, and after getting the vaccine, how to access the vaccine, and vaccine safety. You can also visit the CDC’s website for additional information on the vaccine.
Please know that my team and I are always here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov or my office at 617-722-1650. My staff and I continue to work remotely due the COVID-19 pandemic, but if you leave your name, number, and some details regarding your situation, my office will always give you a call back to assist.