Covid Vaccine Information


MA healthcare providers AND pharmacies have been approved to provide the 2025-2026 Covid-19 vaccine. 


Who should get vaccinated?

The Massachusetts Department of Health recommendations are below.  The DPH 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations align with those of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative Recommendations for the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine and leading physician professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). 

Children and adolescents

  • All children 6-23 months of age should receive age appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination.
    • Those who are unvaccinated or did not complete a primary vaccination series should complete their initial vaccine series.
    • Those who have completed a primary vaccination series should receive a single dose of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. This dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the last dose was received.
  • Children and adolescents age 2 to 18 years of age with medical conditions associated with higher riskb of severe COVID-19 and those whose household contacts are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should receive one dose of an age appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age who are residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings should receive one dose of an age appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Healthy children and adolescents 2 to18 years of age who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should receive one dose of an age appropriate 2025- 2026 COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Healthy children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age, who do not fall into the categories above, may receive one dose of an age appropriate 2025-2026 COVID- 19 vaccination.

Adults

  • Adults ages 65 years and older should receive two doses of a 2025-2026 vaccine COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose administered 6 months after the first.
  • Adults 19 to 64 years of age with medical conditions associated with higher riskb of severe COVID-19 and those whose household contacts are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should receive one dose of a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Healthy adults 19 to 64 years of age may receive one dose of a 2025-2026 COVID- 19 vaccine.

Special populations

  • People with moderate to severe immunocompromise should receive two doses of a 2025-2026 vaccine COVID-19 vaccine with the second dose administered 6 months after the first.
  • People with moderate to severe immunocompromise may receive additional doses of 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., a total of ≥3 doses of 2025–2026

COVID-19 vaccine) at a minimum interval of 2 months.c

  • People who are pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, have recently been pregnant or who are lactating should receive one dose of a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • All healthcare workers should receive one dose of a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, independent of age or underlying medical conditions.


Read the full guidelines here. 


As always, consult with your healthcare provider.

When should I get vaccinated?

The question of when to get the updated vaccine is not clear-cut. Those who are high risk and who have not had a recent infection (3-6 months) or had another COVID vaccine in the past two months, may choose to get the vaccine now. But that might mean that the effectiveness will have waned by the time the expected winter wave arrives. Many people may choose to be vaccinated closer to the end of October which is the typical recommendation for flu vaccine. If you are unsure, about when to get vaccinated, discuss your options with your health care provider.

If you recently had COVID-19, you may delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine for 3 months after symptoms started OR after receiving a positive test with no symptoms.

Can I get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as my seasonal flu shot or other vaccines? 

The administration of COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other immunizations such as flu and RSV is acceptable for both children and adults and is often recommended to reduce missed opportunities for vaccination.

Where can I get vaccinated?

Many local pharmacies will start carrying the updated vaccine as of 9/5/25. Also, check with your health care provider.

The Division of Insurance (DOI) and Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a bulletin on 9/4/25 that requires insurance carriers in Massachusetts to continue to cover vaccines recommended by DPH and not rely solely on CDC recommendations. These include respiratory virus vaccines, like COVID, flu and RSV, and routine vaccines for children, like measles, chickenpox, and Hepatitis B. MassHealth has committed to covering the cost of COVID-19 vaccines for all ages.