Massachusetts has released new state-specific recommendations saying people of all ages should be vaccinated against COVID-19, despite federal guidelines that would otherwise have made that difficult.
“We are not going to let Donald Trump or Robert Kennedy take away your ability to make your own health care decisions,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement Wednesday. “Massachusetts will continue to lead with science and protect access to life-saving vaccines. We are taking this action today so the people of Massachusetts know that you will continue to be able to get the vaccines you want and need – no matter what happens at the federal level.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently changed its approval of this year’s vaccines, making them available only to people age 65 and over or at risk of severe disease.
Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said it would continue to make the shots available to everyone, joining a coalition of other states in the Northeast doing the same.
“Vaccines remain the most effective public health intervention of the past century – they have saved millions of lives,” state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said.
“Massachusetts has never backed away from doing what is hard when it is also right. Today, we are protecting our residents by providing recommendations for COVID vaccinations that are grounded in evidence and science, driven by equity, and shaped by the lived experiences of our communities,” Goldstein said.
According to the new guidance released Wednesday, children ages 6 to 23 months, adults over 65 and anyone at a high risk for illness or exposure “should” be vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the upcoming winter season. Healthy adults and children ages 2 to 18 “may” also receive the vaccine, but are encouraged to do so.
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet on Thursday and Friday to vote on national vaccine recommendations.