Health & Safety Guidance
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Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's guidance for children and staff in certain settings: COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings
COVID-19 Testing for Child Care Settings
EEC will be providing free rapid antigen tests to child care providers through another quarterly shipment in December, which will provide tests for the months of December, January, and February. Beginning today, programs may request tests for the next shipment through this new form. Programs must submit their request by Friday, December 2 to receive a December shipment. Shipments will begin the first week of December. If a program needs an emergency shipment of tests after the next shipment they should submit a request using the new form. For support with ordering tests, please call 781-305-4389 or email info@tighe-co.com.
Para pedir pruebas en español, haga click aquí.
The EEC COVID-19 Healthline is available, in English and Spanish, to EEC-affiliated programs to support COVID-19-related inquiries and support the implementation of testing guidance. Contact the EEC Covid-19 Healthline: 857-488-4418 or via this online form.
The federal government has extended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Operation Expanded Testing through December 31, 2022. Through federal funding, Operation Expanded Testing supports free PCR testing for child care programs and other educational settings. For more information about the program or to register for PCR tests for your child care program in Massachusetts, visit OperationExpandedTesting.com .
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children
People ages 6 months+ who live, work, or study in Massachusetts should get a COVID-19 vaccine. People ages 5+ should get a booster.
FIND A LOCATION AT VAXFINDER.MASS.GOV
Children Ages 6 months-4 Years Old
Children ages 6 months through 5 years old who live in Massachusetts are now able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective. You don't need an ID or insurance to get the vaccine.
Resources
- DPH-EEC Letter to Child Care Providers (PDF) – On June 21, DPH and EEC provided EEC-licensed child care providers with a letter regarding the approval of COVID vaccines for children 6 months+-4 years old.
- DPH-EEC Letter to Families (PDF) – DPH and EEC provided programs with a template letter to share with families with children in child care regarding the approval of COVID vaccines for children 6 months+- 4 years old.etter to share with families with children in child care regarding the approval of COVID vaccines for children 6 months+.
For more resources about the COVID-19 vaccine, including for children aged 6 months - 4 years old, visit COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 6 months to 4 years old.
Children Ages 5-11
Children ages 5 to 11 who live or go to school in Massachusetts are now eligible to get the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free and effective. You don't need identification or insurance to get it.
Resources
Resources
Contact the EEC Covid-19 Healthline with questions related to testing: by calling 857-488-4418 or by clicking here.
- COVID Closure Reporting
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
- Office of the Child Advocate: Covid-19 Resources for Early Childhood Educators
- Massachusetts Attorney General: Child care and Other Resources for Families