Find a vaccine location near you
- Search vaccinefinder.org
- Visit a doctors’ office, pharmacy, or health center in your community
- Contact your local health department
Massachusetts residents may get their COVID-19 vaccine at their doctors’ office, health center or pharmacy or through their local health department. Pediatricians’ offices and community health centers are the best option for accessing COVID-19 vaccines for children, especially those between 6 months and 5 years of age.
Currently, while all MA residents older than 6 months of age are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, scheduling online at a pharmacy, such as Walgreens or CVS, may require that you either:
- Self-attest to having a condition that puts you at risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 virus
- Some examples of qualifying conditions include a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25, a weakened immune system, pregnancy, being physically inactive, diabetes, current or former smoking, and other conditions or situations
- Or, confirm that you are over the age of 65
A majority of Americans fall into at least one of these categories of conditions. If you have questions you can talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. We expect that this may change in the coming weeks and this step may no longer be required.
Free or low-cost vaccines
| If you have health insurance | Most plans will cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Please check with your health insurance provider. |
|---|---|
| If you don’t have health insurance, or you have a health plan that does not cover the cost | You can get a free COVID-19 vaccine from: |
| Free for children and youth under 19 | The COVID-19 vaccine is free for all children and youth under 19 years of age from their primary care provider or community health center. This is provided through the Commonwealth’s pediatric universal vaccine program.
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Vaccine safety
COVID-19 vaccines available in Massachusetts are authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and proven to be safe and effective.
Vaccines teach our immune system how to fight against a specific virus. Like other viruses, COVID-19 changes over time, leading to new variants. Updated vaccines provide protection against these variants. By staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, you can greatly reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Last year, people who received the COVID-19 vaccine had greater protection against illness and hospitalization than people who did not receive the vaccine. Hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
For more vaccine safety information, visit COVID-19 vaccine resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
- COVID-19 Vaccine Basics
- Benefits of Getting Vaccinated
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
Visit cdc.gov/covid/vaccines for more resources and additional information for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, or long-term care residents.
Vaccine records
Use the MyVaxRecords website to get a COVID-19 digital vaccine card or a copy of your vaccination record.
Stop the spread of germs
Prevention measures are necessary to stop the spread of germs, even if you are up to date with your vaccines. Visit mass.gov/StopTheSpread to learn tips on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, like flu and RSV.