Boston, September 18, 2025
News Summary
The Healey administration in Massachusetts has announced evidence-based COVID-19 vaccine guidance recommending vaccinations for children aged 6-23 months and all adults. The new directives aim to enhance access by allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines and ensuring insurers cover costs. This guidance emphasizes the need for vaccinations among vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals and those with compromised immune systems. The state’s decision comes ahead of a federal Advisory Committee meeting, highlighting its commitment to providing residents with the latest scientific recommendations.
Boston — The Healey administration in Massachusetts issued evidence-based COVID-19 vaccine guidance on Wednesday recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6-23 months and all adults, and announced steps to ensure access and insurance coverage ahead of a scheduled federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting.
Top lines
The guidance from Massachusetts health officials covers people at higher risk for disease or exposure, individuals who are pregnant or lactating, and those with compromised immune systems. The state moved to make vaccines widely accessible by issuing a standing order that allows pharmacists to vaccinate eligible individuals, and by requiring insurers to cover the cost of recommended vaccines for their members in Massachusetts.
Details of the guidance and state actions
Who is recommended to receive vaccines
The guidance recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6-23 months and all adults. The state’s vaccination recommendations include specific guidance for adults, such as urging those over 65 to receive two doses of the vaccine and recommending vaccinations for healthcare workers and those planning to become pregnant. The guidance also includes recommendations for people at higher risk for disease or exposure, individuals who are pregnant or lactating, and those with compromised immune systems.
How the state will expand access
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein signed a standing order allowing pharmacists to vaccinate eligible individuals who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Board of Registration in Pharmacy authorized pharmacists to administer any vaccine recommended by the commissioner, independent of federal actions. A bulletin from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health now requires insurers to cover the cost of recommended vaccines for their members in Massachusetts. These steps were described by state officials as measures to keep vaccine access available for all age groups.
Why the state acted now
The announcement came just before a scheduled federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting to discuss national vaccine recommendations. Massachusetts officials said they issued the guidance to provide residents with the best available science and the guidance of leading medical organizations ahead of ACIP and CDC recommendations. State leaders positioned the guidance as a direct contrast to recent federal moves that could restrict access, and as a way to decouple Massachusetts vaccine policy from federal recommendations in order to prioritize state residents’ healthcare decisions.
Context and alignment with medical organizations
The guidance follows an extensive review of scientific data and aligns with recommendations from professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. State health officials highlighted that vaccines have historically been crucial in saving lives and remain one of the most effective public health interventions. Officials also characterized the current federal guidance environment as untrustworthy for state public health decision-making and acted to ensure continuity of care and access for residents.
Political and legal notes
State officials framed their actions as a response to federal moves to restrict access to vaccines led by national political figures. The Healey administration enacted these policies to ensure that residents who want vaccines can obtain them regardless of federal changes. Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to mandate that insurance providers cover vaccines recommended by public health authorities rather than relying solely on CDC guidelines.
What residents should know
- Eligibility: Children aged 6-23 months and all adults are included in the state recommendation; additional emphasis for people over 65, healthcare workers, those planning pregnancy, pregnant and lactating persons, people with compromised immune systems, and those at higher risk for exposure.
- Where to get a vaccine: Pharmacists in Massachusetts may administer any vaccine recommended by the commissioner under the new standing order and Board authorization.
- Cost: Insurers in Massachusetts are required to cover the cost of recommended vaccines for their members.
- Timing: Guidance was issued before a federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting reviewing national recommendations.
Next steps
State officials said they will continue to monitor scientific data and recommendations from medical organizations and will adjust state guidance as needed to preserve access and protect public health. The standing orders, insurer bulletin, and pharmacy board authorization are in effect to enable immediate access for residents who choose to be vaccinated.
Background
Public health authorities at the state level often follow federal advisory bodies when issuing local recommendations. In this case, Massachusetts moved to publish state guidance and implement policies on access and coverage prior to a federal advisory meeting, citing a desire to lead with the best available science and to preserve access for residents amid a politically charged national debate about vaccine policy and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Healey administration in Massachusetts issue?
The Healey administration in Massachusetts issued evidence-based COVID-19 vaccine guidance on Wednesday.
Who does the guidance recommend for COVID-19 vaccination?
The guidance recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6-23 months and all adults.
Does the guidance include recommendations for specific groups?
The guidance includes recommendations for people at higher risk for disease or exposure, individuals who are pregnant or lactating, and those with compromised immune systems.
Was the announcement made in relation to any federal event?
The announcement was made before a scheduled federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting to discuss national vaccine recommendations.
Why did Massachusetts issue this guidance now?
Massachusetts aims to provide residents with the best available science and the guidance of leading medical organizations ahead of ACIP and CDC recommendations.
What did the governor emphasize about access to vaccines?
The governor emphasized that residents who want vaccines will get vaccines, covering flu, COVID, children’s vaccines, and more.
What was the public health commissioner’s stance on federal guidance?
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein expressed distrust in current CDC guidance, saying his office could not trust CDC recommendations at this moment.
How has Massachusetts ensured vaccine access and coverage?
Goldstein signed a standing order allowing pharmacists to vaccinate eligible individuals who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a bulletin requires insurers to cover the cost of recommended vaccines for their members in Massachusetts, and the Board of Registration in Pharmacy authorized pharmacists to administer any vaccine recommended by the commissioner.
How does this guidance relate to professional medical organizations?
The guidance follows an extensive review of scientific data and aligns with recommendations from professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Did the state take this action because of federal policy changes?
Recent actions by Healey ensure vaccines remain available for all age groups, despite federal moves to restrict access led by Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Quick reference table
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Massachusetts (state-level guidance) |
| Issued by | The Healey administration in Massachusetts |
| Date | Guidance issued on Wednesday (state announcement date) |
| Recommended groups | Children aged 6-23 months; all adults; people at higher risk; pregnant and lactating individuals; immunocompromised people |
| Adult specifics | Those over 65 urged to receive two doses; healthcare workers and those planning pregnancy recommended to be vaccinated |
| Pharmacy access | Standing order allows pharmacists to vaccinate eligible individuals; Board authorized pharmacists to administer vaccines recommended by the commissioner |
| Insurance | Bulletin requires insurers to cover cost of recommended vaccines for Massachusetts members |
| Relation to federal guidance | Issued before a federal ACIP meeting; intended to provide state guidance independent of pending federal recommendations |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston: Healey Administration Issues New COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
- CBS News: COVID Vaccine Recommendations in Massachusetts
- UPI: Massachusetts Insurance COVID Vaccine Guidelines
- Wikipedia: COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vaccine
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
