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COVID-19 Vaccination

IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of April 19, 2021, people ages 16 and older who live, work, or study in Massachusetts are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Preregister or find an appointment near you on Mass.gov/covid19.

Have questions? Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions.

 

AllWays Health Partners COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, AllWays Health Partners has ensured timely access to critical health care services for our members. As part of that commitment, AllWays will cover the administration of COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to our members. The COVID-19 vaccines that are being administered have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about when you are eligible and how to pre-register or schedule your vaccine appointment, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.

Get the latest information about our COVID-19 response

AllWays Health Partners is committed to ensuring timely access to the health care services and COVID-19 information you may need during this public health emergency. Our resource center contains links to important information for our members, employers, brokers and providers.

 

Find the COVID-19 information that's important to you

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Frequently asked questions about coronavirus

Stories around the coronavirus disease are developing daily. The best source for credible news on COVID-19 is the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). You can check their website to find the latest updates and recommendations, including resources like:


The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is also a helpful resource for more of the latest updates.h

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (abbreviated as “COVID-19”) is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus is thought to spread from person-to-person mainly through close contact and sharing air with someone who is infected. Close contact refers to being within 6 feet of someone for a total of 15 minutes or more who has COVID-19. Please note that someone who is infected can spread COVID-19 two days (48 hours) prior to having symptoms or testing positive for the virus.

People who are infected often have symptoms of illness. Symptoms range from a mild cold and runny nose, to more severe symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, many people who are infected may have no symptoms at all and can still spread the virus to others.

While the virus is most commonly spread by sharing air, it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

The CDC recommends these everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of disease:

  • Practice social distancing (about 6 feet or more) and stay home as much as possible
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wearing a mask is an important step in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Please note that beginning on November 6, Massachusetts residents over 5 years old are required to wear face coverings in public places. Mask use is also recommended in indoor settings when you are with people who are not in your immediate household to minimize the risk of transmission. Visit Mass.gov to learn more about this mandate and what you can use for a mask. Visit the CDC for more information on the importance of masks.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • If you have contact with a frequently touched surface, wash your hands before you touch your face
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (such as a child or elderly person)
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

Note that the virus is commonly spread in households between family members. If you share a residence with someone who is infected with COVID-19, visit the CDC website for extra steps to take when caring for someone at home.

Massachusetts has created a first-in-the-nation contact tracing program, called the Community Tracing Collaborative, to reach out to contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 patients. This team makes phone calls to notify and help protect others who may be exposed to the virus. You can participate by answering a phone call from a MA COVID Team member who will connect you with critical medical support and resources. Visit Mass.gov to learn more.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to those of the flu and other upper respiratory infections. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should contact your doctor or another health care professional.
 
To support you in better understanding symptoms and if you should be evaluated for COVID-19, Partners HealthCare has created the COVID-19 Screener that is available in your AllWays Health Partners member portal at allwaysmember.org. In addition, My Care Family members have access to Buoy, a free web-based tool you can use to check your symptoms on buoy.com/mass.

Vaccine FAQ

AllWays Health Partners is aligning with state guidelines and adhering to the Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccine distribution timeline. Access will be coordinated through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Massachusetts has announced its vaccine distribution timeline for all eligibility groups, including the general public. To find out when you will be eligible to schedule your vaccine appointment, please visit mass.gov/covidvaccine 

When you are eligible to receive the vaccine, there are several options to access the vaccine, such as a local pharmacy or at one of many statewide mass vaccination sites. To see the latest COVID-19 vaccination sites and schedule an appointment if you are eligible please visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/.

Please note that beginning Friday, March 12, eligible people who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can preregister for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at one of the mass vaccination locations only. Learn more about how to pre-register at mass.gov/covidvaccine.

Ahead of your appointment, the latest clinical guidelines and what to expect at your vaccination appointment is available from the CDC.

For members who require in-home vaccinations because they are unable to leave their home to get to a vaccination site, please visit the state’s COVID-19 Homebound Vaccination Program page at mass.gov/covidvaccine.

AllWays Health Partners will cover the administration of all COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to our members.

The COVID-19 vaccines that are being administered have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). EUA is a designation issued by the FDA to facilitate the availability and use of medical actions, including vaccines, during public health emergencies.

The COVID-19 vaccines that are being administered have proven to be extremely effective. Clinical trials were conducted to evaluate the safety of these vaccines, with thousands of participants across gender, age, race, and ethnicity. Visit the CDC to learn more about the safety and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Public health officials have advised continuing to take preventive measures, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands, even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more on how to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 from the CDC.

Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for children ages 16 and older. The Moderna vaccine is not approved for children. It is approved for adults ages 18 and older. For medical questions about vaccinating your child, we encourage you to contact your child’s health care provider. You can also learn more about who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine and resources for you and your family from the CDC.

Be aware of coronavirus-related scams

Many scammers and hackers are taking advantage of the challenges and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. There is a heightened risk of scams and price gouging during financial disruptions. This includes tricking people into sharing their personal data, buying fake vaccines or treatments for coronavirus, donating to fake charities/organizations, and more.

You can avoid becoming a victim of these scams by being cautious about responding to calls, emails, or letters that use the coronavirus to scare or pressure you into sharing your personal information. To learn more about scams and what you can do to avoid them, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s page on coronavirus scams. The Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office also has a list of common COVID-19 scams and additional tips for avoiding them.
 
If you aren’t sure if something is a scam, check with a trusted source like the U.S. Government, CDC or World Health Organization. You can contact AllWays Health Partners customer service at the number on the back of your member ID card to verify or ask questions about any communications using our name. For example, you should contact us before purchasing unsolicited AllWays Health Partners insurance policies or agreeing to changes to the terms of your current insurance policy. You can also send an email to customerservice@allwayshealth.org or start a Live Chat during regular business hours on the allwaysmember.org portal.

In our community

We’re dedicated to providing support during these challenging times by partnering with several local programs focused on caring for the health of our communities. Some examples include:

We’re honored to join several Boston-based organizations to support the Boston Resiliency Fund. This fund was created by the City of Boston to distribute critical resources to front-line workers, health care providers, and Boston families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
As part of AllWays Health Partners’ Your Care Circle program, we partner with Community Servings, an organization that delivers medically-tailored, nutritious meals to chronically ill members with complex conditions. In 2020 during the height of the pandemic, we expanded this partnership to support members who fall into high-risk categories for COVID-19, including those who tested positive or were under quarantine – all at no cost to our members.

In addition, AllWays Health Partners is hosting a series of free webinars focused on helping our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each webinar is free and open for anyone to attend, so members are welcome to share with friends and family.
Learn more about the series and sign up for the next upcoming webinar here.

Stay on top of health insurance trends for brokers and employers

The AllWays Insider blog provides weekly industry news updates along with helpful tips for doing business during the pandemic, with resources like:

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Keep up with health care news, tips, and trends for providers

The Best Practice blog is focused on helping you keep your patients healthy and safe, with information on how AllWays Health Partners supports our members and providers.

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