The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 vaccination record. The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card. It produces a unique QR code that can be saved to the user’s phone files, camera roll, or the Apple Wallet. It can also be printed out for a paper record. The web portal follows national standards for security and privacy. Learn more.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises all residents to seek COVID-19 tests when exhibiting COVID symptoms, or five days following a known close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID pursuant to MA DPH quarantine and isolation protocols, updated in accordance with the new CDC guidance. Learn more.

The Baker-Polito Administration has placed an order with iHealth to supply the state with 26 million rapid antigen tests over the next 3 months. The tests will be prioritized to support K-12 schools and childcare settings.

The Biden-Harris Administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests, so people with private health coverage can get up to 8 tests per month for free starting January 15th, 2022.

For people who do not have health insurance, the Administration is purchasing 500 million over-the-counter at-home tests to be distributed for free to Americans. There will be a website where Americans can request at-home tests for home delivery—for free. More information is expected soon. Additional information about COVID services for uninsured individuals can be found here.

The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education extended the mask requirement for schools through February 28th, 2022. Learn more.

On 1/11/22 Governor Baker activated 500 additional members of the Massachusetts National Guard to support the state’s health care system. This order expands the National Guard activation of 500 members announced on December 21 to support non-clinical functions in the Commonwealth’s hospitals. Prioritized uses for the newly activated 500 members will be to provide additional non-clinical staffing at community hospitals and high-volume emergency departments, public hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and dialysis centers. These guard personnel will be deployed beginning the week of January 17.

Know someone who is hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine? Misinformation, mistrust in healthcare and government systems, lack of information, logistical barriers, and inequity are some of the factors that contribute to these feelings of hesitancy and resistance. Follow these tips for having a helpful and compassionate conversation.

Conoce a alguien que tenga dudas sobre la vacuna COVID-19? La desinformación, la desconfianza en los sistemas de salud y gubernamentales, la falta de información, las barreras logísticas y la inequidad son algunos de los factores que contribuyen a estos sentimientos de vacilación y resistencia. Siga estos consejos para tener una conversación útil y compasiva.

Vaccines are still the best protection against getting severely ill with COVID-19, including the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Las vacunas siguen siendo la mejor protección contra una enfermedad grave con COVID-19, incluyendo la variante omicron altamente contagiosa.

Unfortunately, breakthrough cases are happening with Omicron. Testing is another important tool for keeping you and your loved ones safe. Make sure you follow strong prevention measures.

Find more information about testing in western MA on our new Testing Resources page.

Here's what to do if you test positive.

Desafortunadamente, el progreso de Omicron está occuriendo. Las pruebas son otra herramienta importante para que usted y sus seres queridos estén seguros. Asegúrese de seguir estrictas medidas de prevención.

Encuentre más información sobre las pruebas en el oeste de MA en nuestra nueva página de Recursos para Pruebas.