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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 developed a vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes protecting the most vulnerable populations, including long-term care (nursing home, rest home, and assisted living) residents and staff. Massachusetts is implementing vaccine eligibility and distribution in a phased approach due to a limited federal supply of vaccine. Long-term care staff and residents were included in the first phase of distribution as part of the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program (FPPP). Vaccination began on December 28, 2020 in nursing homes and January 11, 2021 in rest homes and assisted living residences. The program will conclude in April 2021; however, the state is working to ensure long-term care residents and staff can access vaccine once the FPPP ends.

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About the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program (FPPP)

Nursing home, rest home, and assisted living residents and staff are receiving their vaccinations through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program (FPPP). Facilities that enrolled in the program have been matched with a pharmacy (either CVS or Walgreens) who has provided free on-site vaccinations for staff and residents. The list of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) participating in the FPPP program includes information on which LTCFs have been matched with which pharmacy for COVID-19 vaccination.  This program used Pfizer vaccine for all vaccinations and so staff and residents need two doses to be fully vaccinated.

The Department of Public Health has compiled guidance and information about COVID-19 vaccination specific to long-term care facilities, along with answers to frequently asked questions.

We understand there are many general questions surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety, plan for equitable access, post-vaccine administration guidance, and other health and safety question. Answers to these general questions and more can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Nursing facility and rest homes: vaccination options for residents and staff following the FPPP

To date, many Nursing Facility and Rest Home residents and staff have received both their first and second doses through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program (FPPP). As the program comes to a close, DPH has issued guidance providing recommendations for obtaining COVID-19 vaccine for residents and staff in the weeks and months ahead. Families with specific questions regarding how their loved one will receive their first and/or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should reach out to their loved one’s facility.

For residents:

  • If, after the third FPPP vaccine clinic, a nursing facility or rest home has a resident who requires a second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the facility should contact DPH. Additional information can be found in DPH guidance .
  • If a nursing facility or rest home has residents who require the first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or has a resident who requires the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the facility should contact their long-term care pharmacy partner to provide the necessary COVID-19 vaccine to the long-term care facility.
  • If a resident received their first dose of Pfizer at the facility but has since been discharged, the resident should reach out to the facility for administration of the second dose. As an alternative, and if the resident did not receive Pfizer as their first dose, residents should make an appointment at one of the mass vaccination sites, retail pharmacy sites or regional vaccination sites to receive their second dose

For staff:

  • Nursing facility and rest home staff in need of COVID-19 vaccine should make an appointment at one of the mass vaccination sites, retail pharmacy sites or regional vaccination sites. 

There are different ways to find a vaccine appointment:

Massachusetts’ preregistration system makes it easier to request and schedule an appointment. People can preregister for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at mass vaccination locations and certain regional collaborative locations only. More locations will continue to be added.

Once you sign up for preregistration, you’ll receive weekly status updates. You can opt out at any time if you find an appointment elsewhere. Once an appointment is available, you’ll be contacted with the opportunity to book the appointment and have 24 hours to accept it.

Massachusetts receives a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government each week. Due to high demand and very limited supply, it may take several weeks to schedule an appointment or to be notified that an appointment.

Preregister for a vaccine appointment  Use VaxFinder to book at other locations  Learn more about preregistration 

Assisted living residents: vaccination options for residents and staff following the FPPP

Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) guidance, March 17, 2021, Vaccination Opportunities for ALRs Post Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program PDF | Doc

Information for families

Families with questions regarding how their loved one will receive their first and/or second dose 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 617-660-5399. 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.

Where can I get more information?

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

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