We all know how important the COVID-19 vaccination is to help stop the pandemic, yet availability is currently limited. Frustrated with the tight supply, our clients and prospects continue to reach out to us requesting information on how to set up on-site COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. As of today, employers have three options to get their workforce vaccinated:
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Partner with a pharmacy or health care provider to host an on-site clinic; this is the best option for most employers, although availability of the vaccine for employers remains limited to the supply of vaccine approved and delivered to each provider, and all employees to be vaccinated must fall within the then current phase and priority as identified by the State of Massachusetts (or related State). vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
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Provide vaccines directly; this requires enrolling in the State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program as a provider and meeting requirements including having a chief medical officer on staff, possessing specialized freezer units to hold the vaccine, being able to administer 200 doses within 10 days, and adhering to Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and equitable distribution requirements. This option has worked mainly for only a handful of employers, typically those with health care operations Employers interested in administering vaccines directly can review requirements for applying here. vvvvvvvvvvvVVVVVvvv
- Encourage all phase/priority eligible individuals to participate in State-run clinics and not wait for “possible” employer on-site events.
Currently, the State continues to have far more capacity to deliver vaccinations than there is available vaccine; this past Saturday, Governor Baker shared that the State has the capacity to administer 242,000 doses of vaccine a week, but has only been receiving 103,000 to 106,000 doses a week. R
As of today, we are still in Phase 1 which allows individuals in priority groups and those age 75+ to get the vaccine. Vaccinations for individuals 65+, those with 2+ comorbidities, and/or residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing are expected to start toward the end of February, followed by other workers, including -
