BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts insurance carriers will be required to cover vaccinations recommended by the state’s department of public health, whether or not those vaccines continue to be recommended by the federal government, Gov. Maura Healey announced Thursday.
The Democratic governor issued a bulletin saying the move was to ensure Massachusetts residents can afford the vaccines they need and want, “even if the federal government issues narrower recommendations,” according to a press release.
The announcement comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s extensive restructuring and downsizing of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the firing of former CDC Director Susan Monarez last month.
“Massachusetts has the best health care in the world,” Healey said in a statement. “We won’t let Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy get between patients and their doctors.”
Tried to get my vaccines yesterday. $109 for flu, $160 for covid. I’ve been unemployed 6 months, so might have to skip them this year. Yay, 'Murica.
My country is now a bad joke.
I’m shocked they are that much, but not really at the same time.
I’m going to get a flu shot before visiting the US. I’ll have to see if my current provider will cover a Covid vaccine in the US.
Wow, they are free here in Australia of you are high risk or young kids etc. However, privately in a chemist they are like $20. It might be government subsidised, though, but then why not make it free
Now we just need a bunch of other states to do the same!
Well, as backwards as this country is right now, I’m happy to see Massachusetts leading the charge for sanity. Also, glad I’ll still be able to get vaccines…