Who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine?
This COVID-19 Vaccinators chart (updated March 30, 2021) lists the different groups of individuals who can possess and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
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 DPH-Vaccine-Management@massmail.state.ma.us. 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
Storage, handling, administration and safety
COVID-19 Vaccine Storage, Handling, Administration and Safety Training
The MDPH Immunization Division is pleased to present a free accredited COVID-19 Vaccine training. MDPH strongly encourages the primary and back-up vaccine coordinators at each site and providers administering COVID-19 vaccine to complete the trainings in vaccine storage, handling, administration and safety found at the link below. Information in this training is based on information currently available at the time of the recordings and modules will be updated as necessary. A certificate of completion will be awarded immediately upon successful completion of all training modules and passing the proficiency quiz. Continuing education credits can be earned for completing all modules.
This training is divided into modules so the learner can complete each module when they have time and do not have to complete the entire training all at one time. Another benefit of this online training is that the learner can go back into the training site and re-review the content as often as they choose even after completion of the training.
MDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Training – Storage, Handling, Administration and Safety
Routine vaccination during COVID
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. For more information on immunization services during the COVID-19 Pandemic visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance
FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
- FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization for the third COVID-19 vaccine on February 27, 2021
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- FDA approved this vaccine for people 16 years of age and older, marketed as Comirnaty, on August 23, 2021. This vaccine is also still available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals.
- FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020
- FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents on May 10, 2021
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the second COVID-19 vaccine on December 18, 2020
Materials to Support Moderna EUA Changes – April 2021
With the FDA’s EUA revisions announced April 1, the Moderna vaccine will be available in two different vials by early May: the current Maximum 11 dose vial and a new Maximum 15 dose vial. CDC resources:
- Interim Clinical Considerations - Comirnaty on 8/31/21
- COVID Vaccine Clinical Considerations – Immunocompromised additional doses on 8/31/21
- Talking points about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Amendments (PDF) | (DOC)
- FAQ about the EUA Amendments (PDF) | (DOC)
- Images of the new Moderna cartons and vial labels (PDF) | (DOC)
- Wastage Reporting Table (PDF) | (DOC)