Answers To Your Basic Questions About Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Published by Nicole Porter on March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

Need to get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster but wondering… how you will get to your appointment? Will it cost you anything? Does your immigration status affect your eligibility?  Read below and get answers to some of the most basic questions about cost, eligibility, and access when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Will I Have To Pay For The COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster?

Currently, there is no cost for any of the COVID-19 vaccines. If you mistakenly get a bill for you or a family member’s COVID-19 vaccination, don’t pay it and call your insurance company to ask them to explain the charge.

Can I Be Denied The COVID-19 Vaccine/Booster Because Of My Immigration Status?

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that vaccines are available to anyone, including undocumented immigrants, without regard to their immigration status.” 

How Will I Get To A Vaccination Appointment?

If you are having difficulty finding transportation to get to an appointment there are some programs in Massachusetts to help you out:

• MassHealth provides free transportation to vaccine appointments for any individual with any type of MassHealth coverage or the Health Safety Net (call your health plan or MassHealth directly to schedule free transportation at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648)
• The COVID-19 In-Home Vaccination Program provides in-home vaccinations for those who may have trouble getting to or using a community vaccination location. Call the In-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485 or schedule an appointment directly on the CDR Health Patient Portal page at patientportalma.com

How can I find a COVID-19 vaccine near me?

• Visit our website for up-to-date information on local vaccine clinics: Upcoming Everett and Malden Vaccine Clinics
• Vaxfinder.mass.gov
• Vaccines.gov
• Contact your or your child’s healthcare provider’s office
• Visit your local pharmacy’s website for available COVID vaccine appointments
• Sign up for our email list: Stay in touch with SCI! and follow us on social media for updates on clinics in the communities SCI serves.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

PLEASE NOTE that access to free vaccines may change over time. The Public Health Emergency is coming to an end on May 11, 2023. While this doesn’t directly affect access to free vaccines, the supply of federally purchased vaccines will eventually run out, meaning that the responsibility for COVID-19 vaccines will eventually shift to individuals and health insurance companies. In the meantime, it’s important to make sure you stay up-to-date on your vaccinations while they are still free and easily accessible.

We hope you found this information useful. For answers to many common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine please visit Winter 2022/2023 COVID Vaccine FAQs.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines visit: Vaccines for COVID-19