COVID-19 PPE, testing, and vaccine supply resources

Guidance for prioritizing and optimizing use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), COVID-19 testing, and COVID-19 vaccine supply in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 response.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during COVID-19

PPE, including N95 respirators, masks, gowns, gloves, and eye protection continue to be available in Massachusetts. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is able to serve as a bridge when an entity has a critically low supply while it increases ordering and receipt of PPE.  The Commonwealth is not able to supplant the normal supply chain for PPE.

Guidance

• DPH Guidance, May 5, 2023: Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment
  • This guidance replaces Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment guidance published on April 12, 2022; March 7, 2022; January 21, 2022; December 23, 2021; November 17, 2021; August 16, 2021; June 24, 2021; May 13, 2021; January 6, 2021; July 6, 2020; and May 21, 2020.
• CDC Guidance: Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Requesting PPE

Where do I go to make a PPE request?

If you anticipate a supply shortage within the next 5 days and are unable to source the material(s) through your normal supply chain, then you may request PPE in the following manner:

If you are a medical facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, community health center, private/non-fire-based EMS, local public health group, or otherwise providing clinical care:

• Fill out and download the PPE request form and submit it via email to your Regional HMCC.
• Regional HMCC contact info can be found on Learn about HMCC and below:
  • HMCC Region 1 Franklin Regional Council of Governments
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 2 City of Worcester
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 3 Metropolitan Area Planning Council
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 4ab Cambridge Health Alliance
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 4c Boston Public Health Commission 
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 5 MA Association of Health Boards 
    [phone] ID# 32432 | [e-mail]

If you are a local Police Department, Fire Department, joint Fire/EMS Department, county agencies (ex. Sheriff), state agency, or local municipality:

• MEMA no longer has PPE supplies for distribution, the Operational Services Division (OSD) offers resources for obtaining antigen test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) using Statewide Contracts. COVID-19 Statewide Contract Resources | Mass.gov

I am having trouble placing my request. Who can I contact?

If you are a medical facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, community health center, private/ non-fire-based EMS, local public health group, or are otherwise providing clinical care and have questions about how to place a request, you can contact your HMCC regional representative as listed above.

If you are a local Police Department, Fire Department, joint Fire/EMS Department, county agency (ex. Sheriff), state agency, or local municipality:

• The local Emergency Management Director in each city and town has access to WebEOC to submit a request. If a community has questions or needs assistance, they should contact their regional MEMA office.
  • Region 1: [phone]
  • Region 2: [phone]
  • Region 3/4: [phone]

State agencies or county agencies (ex. Sheriff offices) with resource requests should contact the MEMA Emergency Operations Center at [phone] or email [e-mail].

How will I know if my request is going to be filled?

• All requests will be acknowledged within 48 hours.
• Requestors will be asked if they have attempted to place an order through 1 or more of their procurement vendors. Some vendors are starting to deliver supplies.

Download

• Resource Request Form – OPEM213RR_03-23-20 (Fillable PDF) | Doc

COVID-19 testing supplies

• For executive departments, municipalities, and other eligible entities: visit COVID-19 Statewide Contract Resources for information about ordering testing supplies
• For the general public: find COVID-19 self-test kit information on COVID-19 testing information: Where can I get a test?