Vaccine and Booster Information

Date of Record: September 1, 2022

As of September 1, 2022, updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 boosters are now authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html. These updated boosters will be available in MA starting the week of September 5th. 

Please visit mass.gov for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 

1.           What are the updated boosters?  The new COVID-19 booster vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are updated versions of the original vaccines. The updated boosters were recently authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. 

2.           Who should get the new booster?   Anyone age 12 or older who completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series or received a booster dose at least two months ago should get the updated booster as soon as possible. 

3.           Why do I need a booster?   Staying up to date on vaccines, including boosters, is the most effective way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. While vaccine protection decreases over time, boosters restimulate the immune system and increase vaccine efficacy again. Boosters are an important defense, even if you’ve already had COVID. 

4.           When and where can I get a booster?   Updated boosters will be available in Massachusetts starting the week of September 5, 2022. You can get a booster at many locations across the Commonwealth, including where you received previous vaccines. Locations include doctor’s offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and community health clinics. 

5.           Where can I get more information? You can visit www.mass.gov/covidbooster for the latest information.

Update as of 06/21/22 at 5:09 p.m.

Following authorization from the FDA and recommendation from the CDC, children over the age of 6 months are now eligible to receive their vaccine. 

However, due to the time needed to receive the vaccine doses and train staff accordingly, vaccines will NOT be available this week for individuals under 5 years old at clinics run by the City of Worcester or UMass Memorial Health. We will continue to post updates and greatly appreciate your patience. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s pediatrician about potential vaccination in the meantime.

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Date of Record: 6-19-22 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2022 

CONTACT: Kayla Rosario-Muñoz, EOHHS| Kayla.RosarioMunoz@mass.gov 

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Baker-Polito Administration Announces Children Ages 6 Months to 4 years Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccinations 

Following recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts children ages 6 months to 4 years old are now eligible to receive the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

For the 6 months to 4-year-old age group, the Pfizer vaccine consists of three pediatric doses and the Moderna vaccine consists of two pediatric doses. Appointments will be available for booking beginning Tuesday, June 21, 2022 with additional locations and appointments expected to come online in the following days. Vaccines are already available to those 5 years and older.  The Administration expects there to be over 400 locations for children ages 6 months to 4 years old to receive a vaccine in the coming weeks. 

The COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be safe, effective, and protective against serious illness or death. The Administration is committed to ensuring families have convenient access to free, safe, and effective vaccines. Children 6 months and older may receive a vaccination at locations such as their pediatricians’ offices, community health centers, state-supported vaccination sites, mobile clinics and some pharmacy settings depending on the pharmacy and the child’s age.  

“We know parents and families have been waiting for this, and we are pleased to have this last age group approved for the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Estevan Garcia, a pediatrician, and Chief Medical Officer at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “The vaccine for this age group has been rigorously tested and we encourage parents to add this vaccine to the list of critical vaccinations their children should receive. We urge parents to reach out to their child’s health care provider with any questions they may have.” 

How to find a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination appointment:

  1. Parents who prefer to have their child 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 available locations. You can narrow results to search for locations offering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. Some locations listed may only vaccinate certain ages. Read the site details to learn more. 

  3. For individuals who are unable to use VaxFinder, or have difficulty accessing the Internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available by calling 2-1-1 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM). 

    The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.

Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates with over 84 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and over half of adults boosted. Massachusetts residents have ready access to vaccines, rapid tests, and therapeutics – all the resources needed to prevent severe illness and the Commonwealth’s COVID data shows these tools work.

The vaccine is free, and you do not need insurance or an ID to be vaccinated. Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccination, including FAQs, can be found here: mass.gov/COVIDvaccine 


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