DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein on Sept. 17. Photo: Ella Adams/SHNS
BOSTON (State House News Service) — Massachusetts has been facing "glitches" in vaccine distribution, the state public health commissioner said Wednesday, and a long-term federal government shutdown may create "ripple effects" across Massachusetts public health.
Ahead of a Center for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting in September, the state on Sept. 17 issued its own COVID-19 vaccine guidance recommending that children ages 6 to 23 months, and all adults receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as those at higher risk for disease or exposure, those who are pregnant or lactating, and those who are immunocompromised.
The Department of Public Health previously authorized pharmacists to administer the updated COVID booster to residents aged 5 and older through a standing order.
On Wednesday, state Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein told the Public Health Council about vaccine distribution delays as flu and COVID-19 season begins.
"Pharmacies, pediatrician offices and community health centers are now administering shots, but there continue to be a few glitches with distribution," Goldstein said. "After a significant delay, the ACIP recommendations were officially adopted on Monday, Oct. 6, following the Sept. 18 and 19 ACIP meeting — a process that normally takes a few hours or a couple of days, has taken three weeks."
Goldstein added: "The delay has affected COVID vaccines distributed through the federal Vaccines for Children program, which requires the CDC director's approval. Community health centers, pediatrician offices and local boards of health that serve beneficiaries of this program — uninsured, under insured and Medicaid eligible children — had not been able to purchase vaccines."
Goldstein said that DPH opened the ordering of state-supplied Moderna, Pfizer and Sanofi Novavax COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 respiratory season once the ACIP recommendations were adopted, encouraging providers to place orders. DPH expects vaccines to begin shipping in the coming days. Providers "should see vaccines start to arrive in clinics by the end of this week or early next week," Goldstein said.
CDC recommendations adopted Monday include "individual-based decision-making" with regard to COVID-19 vaccination. The agency also now recommends that toddlers receive the chickenpox vaccine separate from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. Massachusetts officials said in September that they are prepared to issue guidance or a standing order for pharmacies covering several childhood vaccines.
The Massachusetts Vaccine Purchasing Advisory Council plans to meet Thursday at the Massachusetts Medical Society in Waltham. The agenda includes revisions to operating procedures, a review of the immunization landscape including recent federal actions, a presentation from Merck on their RSV monoclonal clesrovimab (ENFLONSIA), and deliberations regarding inclusion of clesrovimab in the universal immunization program.
Goldstein also warned of potential impacts of a long-term federal government shutdown. The shutdown went into effect on Oct. 1 after Congress could not agree on a federal spending bill.
"While our state programs remain fully operational, the shutdown is creating ripple effects across public health. Furloughs at CDC, FDA and other agencies threaten the flow of information we depend on to warn of potential outbreaks and to guide our ability to respond quickly and nimbly," Goldstein said. "Critical functions such as food and water safety inspections are severely hampered. The [Women, Infants and Children Nutrition] program and [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits nationally are at risk. And while our state can continue these benefits in the short term, if the shutdown drags on, fulfilling our promise may become more challenging."
"With the president threatening federal layoffs, the consequences may echo for months, even years," Goldstein said, calling the shutdown "just one more curveball that lands hardest on our most vulnerable residents."
Written By Ella Adams/ State House News Service