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What to know about Massachusetts' move to set its own vaccine rules
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TGIF! Today is the last day of in-person early voting for Boston's preliminary election. And a new poll out this morning shows Mayor Michelle Wu with a growing lead over challenger Josh Kraft. (It's also — importantly — the final day to vote for Somerville's bike path cat mayor.)
But first, let's get to the news:
Governor's orders: COVID-19 boosters will remain widely available in Massachusetts this fall. Despite changing federal vaccine policies, Gov. Maura Healey announced several steps yesterday to ensure the shots are covered for local residents who want them. The announcement came as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, clashed with U.S. senators during a congressional hearing over his recent changes at the CDC. "We will not let Donald Trump or Robert Kennedy get in the way of patients and the care and the treatments ... they want and need," Healey told reporters back at the State House in Boston. Here's what to know:
- What exactly did Healey change yesterday? Two things. First, her office directed local health insurance companies to continue to fully cover vaccines recommended by the state's Department of Public Health, even if the CDC's coming recommendations don't go as far. It's a step no other state in the country has taken. And it has support from Massachusetts' major health insurers, like Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans. Second, DPH updated its regulations to allow pharmacists to administer routine vaccines recommended by the state, rather than only what's recommended by the CDC. That change comes after recent reports that CVS and Walgreens were limiting access to COVID shots due to previous rules, which led DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein to issue a standing order to allow pharmacies to give COVID shots to anyone 5 and up. "Essentially, what this means — and the commissioner is a doctor — he wrote a prescription for every Massachusetts resident that covers everyone in this state," Healey said.
- Which vaccines does it cover? It's not just COVID. Healey's office says the insurance rules apply to other seasonal vaccines like flu and RSV, as well as routine shots for kids, such as measles, mumps, chickenpox and Hepatitis B.
- When can people get it? Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens will begin scheduling appointments and administering the new COVID shots today, Healey said. She thanked the pharmacies for moving "quickly over the past week."
- What's next? Healey said her administration is also working with other states in the Northeast to coordinate "science-backed" vaccine recommendations, and collaborate on disease testing, monitoring and emergency preparedness. The regional approach is similar to a vaccine recommendation alliance announced Wednesday by Washington state, Oregon and California. " We'll have more to say about this shortly as we move forward," Healey said.
- Tune in: Healey is scheduled to be live on WBUR's Here & Now today around noon to further discuss the state's vaccine access plan.
On the docket: Former Boston City City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon, after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges in May. Federal prosecutors say Fernandes Anderson orchestrated a kickback scheme involving city funds, in which she gave a $13,000 bonus to a family member who worked on her staff on the condition that $7,000 was given back to her.
- What to expect: WBUR's Eve Zuckoff reports prosecutors have requested a sentence of one year and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, plus $13,000 in restitution. However, Fernandes Anderson's court-appointed lawyer is asking the judge for a more lenient sentence, since she's a first-time offender: probation and a "significant amount" of community service.
Heads up, Pats fans: The NFL is back. And for the first time, the MBTA plans to run a second event train between Boston's South Station and Gillette Stadium for several New England Patriots games this year, including this Sunday's season opener. T officials say the extra train will accommodate over 1,200 more passengers.
- In addition to this Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the second train will run on Sept. 21 (against the Pittsburgh Steelers), Sept. 28 (against the Carolina Panthers), and Dec. 14 (against the Buffalo Bills).
- It leaves South Station at 10 a.m. each Sunday and begins its trip back from Foxborough 30 minutes after each game ends. Roundtrip tickets cost $20.
P.S. — What was the intended purpose of a Salem port project that had its federal funding canceled? Think you know the answer? Take our Boston News Quiz.
