Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) Overview

The information on this page will assist you in your vaccination efforts throughout the pandemic. Below are updates and resources for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP).

Who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine?

This COVID-19 Vaccinators chart (updated October 26, 2021) lists the different groups of individuals who can administer COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine provider training and resources

• COVID-19 Vaccine Training and Education Resources for Providers page, which includes:
  • Training Required by Professional Qualification | CDC
• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States | CDC

Eligibility to receive COVID-19 vaccine supply

All providers participating in the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) are required to sign an MCVP Agreement to receive delivery of any COVID-19 vaccine.

• Providers must be registered with the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), in order to submit immunization administration data.
• Providers registered with the MIIS all received the MCVP Agreement. New sites that register with the MIIS will receive the Agreement automatically. If you have not received the Agreement, contact the DPH Vaccine Unit at [e-mail]. The MCVP Agreement must be completed in order to receive vaccine.
• Providers must complete the onboarding process with the MIIS User Support Team to ensure that immunization data are being sent to the MIIS registry.

Additional resources:

• A letter reminding providers that they are obligated to provide immunization records to their patients when feasible to do so and instructions on how to view patient vaccination records reported to the MIIS:
  Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) Letter June 21, 2021
• Download frequently asked questions about the MCVP Provider Agreement: 
  Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) Agreement FAQ PDF | Doc, updated December 24, 2020.
• For answers to commonly asked questions about the MIIS, visit:
  www.miisresourcecenter.com/pages/ResourceCenterFaq
• Learn more: 
  Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) – Guidance for Healthcare Providers and Organizations

COVID-19 vaccine storage & handling

CDC resources:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals 

• Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Vaccine Storage and Handling 

• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Vaccine Storage and Handling 

• Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) Questions: Vaccine Storage and Handling 

• Storage and Handling of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccines 

• Identifying, Disposing, and Reporting COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage 

• Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit: COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Requirements 

Routine vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Routine vaccination is essential to protecting our communities against vaccine preventable diseases. CDC and DPH recommend that routine vaccinations are maintained throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

• CDC recommends that provider offices identify children due for vaccination and schedule appointments starting with newborns and children up to 24 months, young children, and adolescents.
• COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. For more information on coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines visit    Timing, Spacing and Interchangeability of COVID-19 Vaccines
• For more information on immunization services during the COVID-19 Pandemic visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance

US COVID-19 Vaccine Products

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States for the prevention of COVID-19.

Four COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved under a Biologics License Application (BLA) or authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine/COMIRNATY
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is an mRNA vaccine.  
  • It is authorized (EUA) for people 6 months – 11 years and approved (BLA) for people ages 12 years and older. ​
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine/SPIKEVAX
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is an mRNA vaccine.  
  • It is authorized (EUA) for people 6 months – 11 years and approved (BLA) for people ages 12 years and older. 

• Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

  • The Novavax vaccine is an adjuvanted protein subunit vaccine.
  • It is authorized (EUA) for people 12 years and older. 
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine
  • The J&J/Janssen vaccine is a viral vector vaccine.  
  • It is authorized (EUA) for people 18 years and older.