COVID-19 vaccine in Boston
The COVID-19 vaccine is an important and effective tool to keep ourselves and our communities safe. Along with getting tested, wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent handwashing, the vaccine will help us end the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has unfairly affected Boston's Black, Latinx, immigrant, and other communities of color. Systemic racism, including in healthcare and vaccine development, also contributes to concerns and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. We're committed to making information available in multiple languages, through multiple methods, and on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to help our residents make informed decisions.
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Have questions? Contact:
Boston Public Health Commission
Important Vaccine Information
On May 11, 2023, the Public Health Emergency will expire, which means there will be changes to your COVID-19 Health Benefits.
- After March 31, 2023, if you have Medicaid, you will have to prove you are eligible every year.
- After May 11, 2023, the cost of treatments, tests, and vaccines may depend on your health insurance.
- After May 11, 2023, if you use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) you may receive less money for food from the government.
- Call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050 for support with Health Benefits and resources that can help. It's free, multilingual, confidential, and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out the fact sheets in your language for more information on steps you can take before and after the Public Health Emergency ends to protect yourself and your community. You will also find a cost table to help you understand how your costs may change.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended and approved for everyone ages 6 months and older in the United States.
- Adults and children aged 6 years and older are considered up to date with COVID-19 vaccines if they received one bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals 65 years of age and older who have received a single dose of a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (either Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19) vaccine should receive one additional dose at least 4 months following their initial bivalent dose.
- Individuals with moderate to severely immunocompromising conditions who have received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine should receive a single additional dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months following a dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. Additional age-appropriate doses may be administered to immunocompromised individuals at the discretion of, and at intervals determined by their healthcare provider.
Recommendations and Information
Recommendations- Everyone ages 6 months and older should be vaccinated against COVID-19 and stay up to date on their boosters when eligible.
- COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection against becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.
- Staying up to date on your vaccines is essential. People are best protected against infection, severe illness, hospitalization and death when they get their booster shots.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, please visit the CDC's website.
What is the updated or bivalent COVID-19 booster? And who is eligible to get one?
The updated or bivalent boosters are called “updated” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have developed updated or bivalent COVID-19 boosters.
Updated COVID-19 boosters became available on:
- September 2, 2022, for people aged 12 years and older
- October 12, 2022, for people aged 5–11 years
- December 9, 2022, for children aged 6 months–4 years who completed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series
When are you up to date?
You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and got the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC.
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If you have completed your primary series—but are not yet eligible for a booster—you are also considered up to date.
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If you become ill with COVID-19 after you received all COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended for you, you are also considered up to date. You do not need to be revaccinated or receive an additional booster.
- Vaccines for children are safe and effective.
- Vaccination recommendation for everyone ages 6 months through <6 years old is:
- Moderna: at least 2 doses, including at least 1 bivalent dose.
- Pfizer:
- 5 years: 1 bivalent dose.
- 6 months through <5 years old: at least 3 doses, including at least 1 bivalent dose.
- Vaccination protects you and your child from becoming very ill, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19.
- The vaccines have gone through the most intensive safety monitoring in US history and are safe and effective for adults and children. Since its authorization, millions of children ages 6 months and up have safely received the vaccine.
- Immigration status will not be and is never a requirement for BPHC sponsored services.
Parents can find clinics and make appointments at the state's Vax Finder website. Parents who prefer to have their child vaccinated by their pediatrician should call their provider's office directly.
Walk-in City Clinics
Visit these sites to get your primary or secondary dose, booster dose, or pediatric vaccine.
Monday
Boston City Hall - 1 City Hall Square, Rm 500, Boston, MA 02201
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7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Wednesday
Boston City Hall - 1 City Hall Square, Rm 500, Boston, MA 02201
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7 - 1 p.m.
Thursday
Bruce Bolling Building - 2302 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
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12 - 6p.m.
Friday
Bruce Bolling Building - 2302 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
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12 - 6p.m.
Saturday
Bruce Bolling Building - 2302 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
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12 - 6p.m.
List of Boston vaccine sites
List of sitesSite schedules may vary or change due to holidays and unforeseen circumstances. We recommend contacting these sites to confirm availability before showing up. One-day sites open to all residents ages 5 and older unless otherwise specified.
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of Operation |
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Boston City Hall Haymarket Rm 240, Boston MA 02201 |
Flu shots also available |
Mondays, from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesdays, from 12 - 5 p.m. |
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Bruce Bolling Building - Ground Level 2302 Washington Street, Roxbury MA 02119 |
Flu shots also available. Located on the ground level, walk-ins only |
Thursday through Saturday, from 12 - 6 p.m. |
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Charlestown - NEW Health 15 Tufts Street, Charlestown MA 02129 |
To register for the vaccine call 857-238-1141 |
Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
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Codman Square Health Center 637 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 |
Registration only, call 617-822-8271! All Boston residents ages 5 and up. |
Monday through Friday, 1 - 4:20 p.m. |
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CVS Locations Various |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Schedule an appointment at CVS. | Varies |
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The Dimock Center 30 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
All Boston residents ages 12 and up can get the vaccine. Clinic located in the basement Please call 617-442-8800 (x2025) to schedule your appointment. Spanish-speaking operators are available. |
Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1 - 4:30 p.m. |
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DotHouse Health 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122 |
Walk-ins welcome! Now offering vaccines for people 6 months and older.
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Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Fridays, from 8:30 - 4 p.m. Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
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Dowling Building Ground Floor 850 Harrison Ave, South End, MA 02118 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine Walk-ins available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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East Boston Neighborhood Health Center 10 Gove St., 2nd Floor, East Boston |
To schedule a vaccination appointment, call 617-568-4500 **EBNHC patients can receive vaccines from their primary care department. Non-EBNHC adult patients can receive vaccines at Adult Medicine, 10 Gove St., 2nd Floor, East Boston by appointment only.** |
The scheduling line is open 8:00 am—4:00 pm, Monday–Friday). |
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Fenway Health 142 Berkley Street, South End, MA 02116 |
All Boston residents can get the vaccine. Check for Fenway Health appointments. |
Varies |
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Fenway Health 1340 Boylston Street, Fenway, MA 02215 |
All Boston residents 18+ can get the vaccine. Check for Fenway Health appointments. |
Varies |
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Galaxy Pharmacy 543 Dorchester Ave, South Boston, 02127 |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. To schedule an appointment call: 617-268-0800 | Varies |
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Gary Drug Company 59 Charles Street, Downtown, 02114 |
Registration encouraged, walk-ins available. | Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
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Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center 4199 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131 |
Please call 617-323-4440 to schedule your appointment. All Boston residents ages 5 and up are eligible. |
By appointment Monday - Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome |
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Harvard Street at Prince Hall 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02121 |
Call the COVID team line at 617-245-8206 for an appointment. Walk-ins also welcome. Offering Pfizer for 6 months and older on Tuesdays and Saturdays only |
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Tuesdays, from 12 - 7 p.m. |
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Immigrant Family Services Institute 1626 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan, MA 02126 |
Walk-ins only! No appointment needed! |
Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 7 p.m. |
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MAC 9 Palmer Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 |
Walk-ins accepted, registration encouraged Call 614-422-1622 to make an appointment |
Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
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Mattapan Community Health Center 1575 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan MA 02126 |
No Walk-ins at this time. Please call 617-296-0061 to make an appointment |
Mondays through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. and 3 - 4 p.m. |
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Melnea Cass Recreation Complex 120 Martin Luther King Blvd., Boston MA 02118 |
Visit the state's website for more information |
Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
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North End Waterfront Health - NEW Health 332 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 |
To register for the vaccine call 857-238-1141 |
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. |
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Osco Locations Varies |
Schedule an appointment online. | Varies, call locations to confirm. |
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South Boston Community Health Center 409 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 |
If you are a patient and would like to be vaccinated, please request a vaccine appointment through your MyChart or call 617-826-1150. If you are not a SBCHC patient and are eligible for the vaccine, you can schedule an appointment through our online portal. SBCHC is vaccinating anyone 5 and up! Walk-ins welcome! |
Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
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South End Community Health Center 1601 Washington Street, South End, MA 02118 |
By appointment only! To schedule an appointment, visit the South End Health Center website or call 617-568-4500 |
Monday though Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
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Sullivan's Pharmacy and Medical Supply Inc 1 Corinth Street, Roslindale, 02131 |
Check our website for hours and appointments. | |
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Upham's Corner Health Center 415 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
All eligible Boston residents can get the vaccine. Vaccination is by appointment only! |
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 - 5:30 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
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Vinh's Brothers Pharmacy 1365-1377 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, 02122 |
Call to confirm 617-282-9800. | Varies |
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Walgreens Locations Varies |
All eligible priority groups can get the vaccine. Check availability or schedule an appointment online. | Varies |
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Whittier Street Health Center - Main Site 1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury MA 02119 |
Appointment required. Register on our website. |
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Family Medicine) and 5 - 8 p.m. (Pediatrics) Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Location | Vaccine information | Days of operation |
|---|---|---|
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Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center 150 S Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 |
Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. |
Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
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West Roxbury VA Medical Center 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132 |
Available to all veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. |
Fridays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
Map of vaccine sites in Boston
Help for seniors
Older Boston residents that are interested in the COVID vaccine and who need help with online registration or transportation should call 3-1-1 for help. Ask to be connected to the Age Strong Commission for vaccine assistance. Eligible Massachusetts residents can also call 2-1-1 if they need help for registration.
More resources
Find City of Boston resources and more.
How to make your vaccination appointment and get ready for it.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines that meet the FDA's rigorous scientific standards.
These school-based clinics are for BPS students and their families.
