Massachusetts vows continued vaccine access as ACIP meets; state posts COVID-19 guidance recommending vaccination for ages 6 months and older

Governor Shindell said Massachusetts will ensure residents can obtain medically recommended vaccines as the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets in Washington this week and as state health officials posted new COVID-19 vaccine guidance.

The announcement comes a day before ACIP’s two-day meeting in which the panel is scheduled to consider MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella), hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. “So bottom line, in Massachusetts, if you want a vaccine, you'll get a vaccine,” Governor Shindell said, adding the state will make vaccines available for children and adults and protect access even if federal policy changes.

The nut of the state action is the Department of Public Health’s publication of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the 2025–26 season. “These recommendations come with supporting statements from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and also are backed by the professional societies across this country,” Dr. Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of the Department of Public Health, said. The posted guidance recommends vaccination for everyone in Massachusetts aged 6 months and older, with emphasis on people at higher risk for severe disease including children ages 6 months to 23 months, people 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions.

State officials said the recommendations were developed from multiple data sources and professional societies. “We looked at data from across the country, understanding the risk of COVID-19, the safety of the vaccines for COVID-19, the benefit of those vaccines,” Dr. Goldstein said, adding the process is transparent and that the DPH website includes the data supporting the recommendations.

Two pediatricians joined the governor and commissioner to underscore safety and need. Dr. Alexei Arauz Boudreaux, division chief of pediatric primary care at Massachusetts General Hospital, said pediatric COVID-19 risk is significant: “Last respiratory season, there were 44 pediatric deaths due to COVID. Four of them were in the state of Massachusetts.” Dr. Sarah Toomey, a pediatrician and chief safety and quality officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, said vaccines have a long history of safety and protect children, families and communities.

Officials described operational steps the state has taken to preserve access: the commissioner earlier this month issued what the administration called a standing COVID-19 vaccine prescription for every eligible person in the state; the administration says insurers, MassHealth and the Group Insurance Commission (which covers state employees) have agreed to cover vaccines at no cost; pharmacies and pharmacists have been prepared to distribute COVID-19 vaccines; and local boards of health have authority to give recommended vaccines. Governor Shindell said the state will review any ACIP recommendations and use the same evidence-based process, in coordination with Northeast states and professional societies, to retain or restore access in Massachusetts.

State officials repeatedly expressed concern about recent federal personnel changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an incoming ACIP membership shift referenced by the governor. “Whatever happens in Washington, Massachusetts is going to make sure that we are providing and protecting for your public health,” the governor said. Dr. Goldstein added the state will scrutinize ACIP outputs and consider how they interact with federal programs such as the Vaccines for Children program when determining next steps.

Questions from reporters touched on insurance coverage limits, including whether self-insured plans are covered by the administration’s assurances; the governor said she would follow up on specific details. Officials also noted uncertainty about federal actions and said some state responses will depend on how ACIP votes and how federal vaccine procurement and coverage programs respond.

The Department of Public Health posted the COVID-19 guidance on its website the morning of the announcement and said the site includes supporting data and collaborative statements from regional public health partners. Officials said they will continue to coordinate with Northeast states and federal partners and will update the public after ACIP concludes its meeting.

The state emphasized that these steps do not change federal authority and that some actions—such as interaction with federally administered vaccine supply programs—will require further review once federal recommendations are issued.