COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Effective, May 10, 2021, the following individuals will be eligible to receive FREE COVID-19 vaccines though Massachusetts vaccination sites: individuals age 12+.

COVID-19 Vaccine Importance and Safety

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. They have been as well studied and scrutinized as any vaccine ever approved. The available COVID-19 vaccines are approved and recommended by the FDA and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Vaccination is the best protection for us to reduce the risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Getting vaccinated may also protect others around you who have not yet received the vaccine. The current COVID-19 vaccines require two doses. You will not be fully vaccinated until you receive both doses.

It will be important to continue to wear masks any time you are outside of your home until enough people are vaccinated. While the vaccines have been shown to be effective in helping the person vaccinated not get seriously ill from COVID-19, they have not yet been proven to reduce that person’s ability to transmit COVID-19 to others. Until we know more, continue to stay at least six feet away from other people, wear a mask, and wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

Locations to Get Vaccinated

A map and downloadable list of vaccination sites can be accessed here 

There are several locations where eligible individuals may receive vaccinations. Sign up is first come, first served and because vaccine supply is limited, you may need to wait several weeks to get an appointment at a location near you. Please be patient. More vaccine is coming soon.  As supply arrives in Massachusetts, additional appointments will become available, so keep looking.

Please visit the Commonwealth’s webpage with vaccination sites for the current list of open sites, including:

Examples of these sites include Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Danvers, the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury and others. These sites currently have the most availability for appointments.

Some local Boards of Public Health are also administering the vaccine.

Some local pharmacies administering the vaccine.