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 January 29, 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 [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:

• 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

Timeline and availability

Rollout

COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna began to arrive in Massachusetts in December.  Initially there will be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine available. Vaccine will be distributed in phases. Critical populations will be prioritized in Phase 1 followed by a broader distribution as more vaccine becomes available.

Ordering

COVID-19 Vaccine will be allocated and distributed via the MIIS. In early phases, providers will receive allocations of vaccine.  Hospitals will be prioritized, followed by other types of provider practices. The timeline for this depends on vaccine availability. More information will be provided as we receive updates on federal vaccine allocations.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution timeline here. 

Storage and handling

COVID-19 Vaccine Storage & Handling and Administration Training

• DPH 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 and handling and administration below. More information will be provided when additional trainings are available.
• Recording and slides from the Introduction to COVID-19 Vaccine Storage & Handling and Administration Training, which has a focus on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine:
  • Access the recorded training
  • COVID-19 Storage and Handling Training PDF Slides | (Accessible)
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Training PDF Slides | (Accessible)
• Recording and slides from the COVID-19 Vaccine Training – The Moderna Supplement:
  • Access the recorded training
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Training – The Moderna Supplement PDF Slides | (Accessible)

For more vaccine storage and handling information please consult: CDC Storage and Handling Toolkit (COVID-19 Addendum Updated 2/12/21).

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

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

• FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the second COVID-19 vaccine on December 18, 2020
• Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Evaluation Task Force Memo, published December 21, 2020: Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy Data for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine mRNA-1273

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

• FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020
• Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Evaluation Task Force Memo, published December 14, 2020: Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy Data for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

EUA Fact Sheets

Available in multiple languages, published by FDA.gov:

• Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

Learn more about EUA on FDA.gov: COVID-19 Vaccines