The city of Boston will offer free COVID and flu vaccine clinics for all people, despite the Trump administration’s recent policy changes limiting vaccine approvals.
This month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would make COVID vaccines available only to people age 65 and over or individuals at risk of severe disease.
In response to the changes, Gov. Maura Healey said Massachusetts “will continue to lead with science and protect access to life-saving vaccines.” The state’s Department of Public Health has vowed to continue making the shots available to everyone, joining a coalition of other states in the Northeast doing the same.
The Boston Public Health Commission announced this week it will host free clinics to ensure continued access to vaccinations. The partnership with Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth and Families and community organizations will begin this month and run through December.
Read more: Mass. says everyone should get COVID vaccine, despite federal guidance
“Vaccination remains the safest and most effective strategy to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu,” Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston’s commissioner of public health, said.
All clinics will offer free COVID and flu vaccines, and some will also offer routine childhood vaccinations for children 5 and older. No appointments are needed, and insurance and identification aren’t required. Those who have health insurance, though, should bring their cards with them, the city said.
Locations of free Boston COVID, flu vaccine clinics
Sept. 25, 3‑8 p.m. — Immigrant Family Services Institute, Inc., 1626 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan
Oct. 3, 4‑8 p.m. — BCYF Vine St., 339 Dudley St., Roxbury
Oct. 9, 4‑8 p.m. — BCYF Mattahunt, 100 Hebron St., Mattapan
Oct. 15, 3‑7 p.m. — BCYF Paris St., 112 Paris St., East Boston
Oct. 16, 9 a.m.‑1 p.m. — City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Room 801, Boston
Oct. 16, 4‑8 p.m. — BCYF Perkins, 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
Oct. 18, 2025, 10 a.m.‑1 p.m. — Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston
Oct. 23, 3‑7 p.m. — Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St. Extension, Brighton
Oct. 27, 1‑5 p.m. — City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Room 801, Boston
Oct. 28, 3‑7 p.m. — BCYF Hyde Park, 1179 River St., Hyde Park
Nov. 3, 4‑8 p.m. — BCYF Paris St., 112 Paris St., East Boston
Nov. 6, 3‑8 p.m. — Tree of Life, 295 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Nov. 10, 3‑8 p.m. — Veronica Robles Cultural Center, 282 Meridian St, Boston
Nov. 10, 3:30‑7:30 p.m. — Charlestown YMCA, 150 Third Avenue, Charlestown
Dec. 1, 2‑6 p.m. — BCYF Roslindale, 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale
Dec. 4, 10 a.m.‑2 p.m. — BCYF Curley, 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston
Dec. 11, 3‑7 p.m. — BCYF Curtis Hall, 20 South St., Jamaica Plain
Dec. 15, 10 a.m.‑2 p.m. — BCYF Nazzaro, 30 North Bennet St., North End
Mass. COVID vaccine guidelines
Directly opposing federal changes, Massachusetts announced its own guidelines for the COVID vaccine this month.
Anyone 6 months and older is eligible, and it is “strongly recommended” by the state for children between 6 and 23 months, as well as adults 65 and older, health care workers, those with high-risk medical conditions, and people who are immunocompromised, pregnant or lactating.
