September 17, 2025
The Healey administration recently made policy changes to promote the availability of and insurance coverage for vaccines in Massachusetts. Governor Healey, the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Division of Insurance (DOI), have worked in concert to direct insurers and pharmacies to prioritize and adhere to vaccine recommendations made at the state level.
DPH issued a standing order allowing pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents over the age of five (pediatricians can provide the vaccine for eligible children under the age of five). DPH also revised its policy for vaccine administration to broaden the selection of vaccines that can be administered by appropriate pharmacy personnel. These changes help maintain access to vaccines through pharmacies and go beyond what is recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In addition, earlier this month the Commissioner of Insurance and Commissioner of Public Health issued a bulletin requiring insurance providers to cover vaccines recommended by DPH, not just those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These changes protect public access to vaccines and elevate the importance of leadership by state-level agencies. In contrast, rapid changes in personnel and practices continue among federal-level public health committees. For example, ACIP, the CDC committee that recommends how broadly vaccines should be adopted across population groups was completely reconstituted. ACIP meets again later this week to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and select childhood immunizations.
To prevent confusion among community members, public health practitioners and other community leaders should rely on state directives, especially as federal guidance continues to change.