Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Baker-Polito administration yesterday announced a new Employer Vaccination Program to give employers options to easily and conveniently vaccinate their employees.
There are two main options for employers: group appointments at mass vaccination sites and mobile on-site employer vaccination clinics.
The program website, www.mass.gov/EmployerVaccine, includes details on options and requirements and a link to a form that employers should submit to request appointments. There is no cost to the employer. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Group appointments
Employers can request a block of appointments at any of the state’s seven mass vaccination sites starting on Monday, May 17. Employers can help register employees for their appointments, or the Department of Public Health will provide links that employers can share with employees so they can sign up during the block of appointments.
The minimum number of appointments required is 10, and there is no maximum limit. Registration requires simple demographic information — insurance and identification are not required at the time of registration or appointment, if not available.
Employers can request a block of appointments for their employees on a specific day and time. Employers or employees will be responsible for transportation to and from the vaccination site. Employers may set up a table or kiosk to have an onsite presence for employees; doing so can be coordinated with the site operator after submitting a request.
Most appointments at mass vaccination sites take less than 30 minutes, including the 15-minute observation period. Sites are available seven days a week, and hours vary by site and day. Extensive accessibility accommodations are available, and additional special accommodations (e.g., interpreters) may be made available upon request.
This option will be available through June 30, with first-dose appointments available through June 11.
Mobile on-site clinics
Employers that have confirmed that 35 or more employees will obtain a vaccination at an employer pop-up clinic may request a mobile, on-site, vaccination clinic. A vaccination provider will come to the employer to vaccinate individuals and return three to four weeks later to deliver second doses. Employers must survey employees and confirm participation prior to requesting a clinic.
To schedule an on-site clinic, employers will need to provide:
• Address of employer and contact person
• Number of employees who have confirmed that they will receive the vaccination
• Space for vaccination clinic (inside, outside) and any additional details
• Type of appointment registration (ahead of clinic or day-of — prior is preferred)
• Requested date and time
Employer clinics will be scheduled and prioritized based upon the number of individuals getting vaccinated and location of the clinic. Employers located in communities with vaccination rates below the state average will be prioritized.
On-site clinics will begin as soon as Monday, May 17.
The administration encourages all employers to remind their employees of the importance of getting vaccinated and of the availability of more than 900 locations across the state. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine.
Stop the Spread testing
The “Stop the Spread” COVID-19 testing initiative, which provides free testing in 35 locations across the state, was set to close on June 30 but has now been extended through Sept. 30, 2021, the administration announced.
The state-sponsored testing is available to all Massachusetts residents at no cost.
Since the state began the program last July, more than 2.3 million tests have been conducted at “Stop the Spread” locations. The DPH reports that more than 22 million COVID-19 tests have been conducted statewide at all testing providers since the pandemic began.
The Stop the Spread initiative is a data-driven effort to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities across the Commonwealth. All state residents may visit the locations even if they do not reside in the town or city where the testing is being conducted.
Residents may visit www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test to find testing locations and visit www.mass.gov/GetTested for more testing information.