Massachusetts residents will get the vaccine in phases. Currently, we are in Phase 3. Starting May 13, the general public ages 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligibility:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Adults aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions listed below 
• Adults aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions listed below, based on their individual benefits and risks
• Adults aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster based on their individual benefits and risks.

Underlying Medical Conditions:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension

• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
• Liver disease
• Overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m² ) and Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), or severe obesity (BMI of ≥40 kg/m²) 
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
• Substance use disorders

Please bring the following to your vaccination appointment in order to be vaccinated:

• Legal Photo ID (if you do not possess any kind of ID, please ask to speak with a manager so and you will be able to be vaccinated).
• Insurance card if you have insurance.

If patient is age 12 - 17

• A Parent/Legal Guardian MUST accompany the patient (or an authorized adult MUST accompany the patient with a signed consent and authorization letter from the legal guardian authorizing that adult to bring the patient (click here for authorization form).
• The parent/guardian must bring photo ID and consent for patient:
  • English Consent Form
  • Spanish Consent Form
• All patients must be at least 12 years of age on vaccination date.
• Please alert check-in staff if a minor is getting vaccinated.

For your vaccination appointment, please be aware:

• Masks are required at all times.
• Do NOT arrive for an appointment if you have any COVID-like symptoms (fever, cough, GI, upset) or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

Once the vaccine is widely available you can check with your primary care provider. Information will also be available on the Massachusetts DPH website.

The vaccine is being provided free of charge to all individuals by the federal government. Insurance companies are also committed to not charging any out-of-pocket fees or co-payments. Insurance companies will be charged a small administration fee.

Second doses will be scheduled on-site when you arrive for your first dose.
 
For individuals receiving Pfizer vaccine, their 2^nd dose will be scheduled on 17-21 days after their 1^st dose (with the day of the 1^st dose counted as Day 1) per FDA guidelines.
 
For individuals receiving MODERNA vaccine, their second dose will be scheduled on 24-28 days after their first dose (with the day of the first dose counted as Day 1), per FDA guidelines.
 
Per CDC guidelines, the second dose may be pushed out as far as 42 days if individuals are unable to receive the second dose in the recommended timeframe.
 
Please refer to  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html for more info.

It is an injection into a muscle in your upper arm with 2 doses. For Pfizer, the two doses are given 21 days apart with a grace period of 4 days. For Moderna, the two doses are given one month apart. There is not enough data on safety and efficacy for either vaccine to be taken together.

• Mild side effects: Fever less than 100 degrees, muscle ache, headache.
• Moderate side effects: Fever more than 101 degrees, muscle ache, headache.
• Mild allergy such as itching and redness at the injection site.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, these are not side effects of the vaccine and could be symptoms of COVID-19. Please call your primary care office if you experience any of these symptoms for risk assessment and testing.

Please seek urgent medical care for moderate to severe allergy after injection; symptoms include wheezing, facial swelling, throat closing, trouble breathing, chest pain/palpitations, or dizziness.

Yes, individuals with chronic illness were part of the clinical trials and the vaccine was recommended.

Yes, if you have no other contraindications to vaccine. However, there is no data on safety and efficacy. You may want to discuss with your medical provider.

Yes, people with chronic illness were part of the clinical trials and the vaccine was recommended.

No, the vaccine may prevent you from getting the virus, but neither will actually cure the virus. You should wear your mask, practice social distancing, and continue active hand washing after receiving the vaccine.

We don’t know how long the immunity lasts at this time.

In most cases, not yet. Please contact your primary care doctor's office to find out. 

No.

No.

No, this is false information.