COVID-19 vaccinations for nursing homes, rest homes and assisted living residences

COVID-19 vaccine information for residents and staff at long term care facilities.

The Commonwealth has prioritized protecting the most vulnerable populations, including long-term care (nursing home, rest home, and assisted living) residents and staff. Vaccinating long-term care facility residents, staff, and visitors against COVID-19 is a crucial step in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting others.

Long-term care facilities, in partnership with their contracted pharmacies, will be able to provide their residents and staff with necessary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine

There are several ways for long-term care residents and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine for long-term care residents and staff:

Residents of nursing homes and rest homes:	Work with your contracted pharmacy to administer vaccine. The facility can contact their long-term care pharmacy partner to provide the necessary COVID-19 vaccine to the long-term care facility and staff may then administer.
Nursing home and rest home staff:	In addition to working with your contracted pharmacy, please use vaccines.gov for vaccination appointments, find a mobile vaccination clinic, or ask at your local pharmacy. All nursing homes and rest homes must ensure that all personnel are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines by December 31, 2023, unless personnel qualify for an exemption
Residents and staff at assisted living residences:	Connect with your local pharmacy or clinical provider, visit vaccines.gov for vaccination appointments, or find a mobile vaccination clinic.

Search for a vaccination location on vaccines.gov  Find a mobile vaccination clinic 

How to enroll in MIIS

Long-term care facilities must be enrolled in the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) to receive and administer COVID-19 vaccine. To enroll in the MIIS, please visit miisresourcecenter.com.

Enroll in MIIS 

Information for families

Families with questions on how their loved one will receive their  updated COVID-19 vaccine should reach out to their loved one’s facility. 

For additional questions about the care your loved one is receiving, please call the Nursing Home Family Resource Line at [phone]. The Nursing Home Family Resource Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Staff will field questions on a range of topics and coordinate across state agencies to help provide answers. 

Additional resources and information for families and loved ones of residents in nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living facilities can be found on the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Family Information Center. 

Long-Term Care COVID-19 Family Information Center 

Where can I get more information?

Visit these frequently updated web pages on COVID-19 vaccination:

• COVID-19 Vaccine in Massachusetts | DPH
• COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-term Care Residents | CDC 
• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC
• How COVID-19 Vaccines Work | CDC
• Myths and Misconceptions about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC
• COVID-19 Vaccine: FAQs & Distribution Information | Walgreens