Looking for the Lowell Health Department Vaccine Clinic webpage? Visit lowellma.gov/vaccineclinic

Vaccines (immunizations) are one of the great public health advances of the 20th century and prevent hundreds of thousands of illnesses in the U.S. every year. Vaccines protect both the person vaccinated and those around them from serious diseases, a concept known as herd immunity. 

Herd immunity protects other members of the community, such as babies too young to be vaccinated and people who cannot receive immunizations because of a medical condition.

Accessing vaccines in Lowell

If you are unable to access a vaccine you need in a timely manner using the resources below, please call the Public Health Nursing Division so that we can monitor for gaps in services offered in our community.

Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)

All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) that should keep you up to date with your vaccinations. If you do not have a PCP, contact your health insurance company for a list of providers that are covered by your insurance. 

If you are a MassHealth member, you were automatically assigned a PCP upon enrollment. If you don't know who yout PCP is, check your MassHealth enrollment confirmation paperwork, your online MassHealth Portal, or call the phone number on your MassHealth card.

If you are in need of health insurance, you can apply for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan

To become a patient at Lowell Community Health Center (LCHC) visit their webpage: www.lchealth.org/patient-tools-resources/become-a-patient/

For more advice on choosing a PCP, visit odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/regular-checkups/choosing-doctor-quick-tips

If you do not have a PCP, the resources below may help you.

Routine childhood vaccines

Receiving the recommended vaccines on time throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. The law requires children to receive certain immunizations before they can attend public school or participate in sports or other programs. Click here for more information about the vaccines your child needs. Click here for information about school immunizations in Massachusetts.

The Lowell Health Department does not offer vaccines for children at this time. If your child needs vaccines to start school, contact your child's Primary Care Provider. If your child does not have a primary care provider yet, see the resources listed below.

--Pediatric Immunization Clinic at Lowell General Hospital

Offers vaccines needed for children to start school, serving those who do not have a Primary Care Provider and/or health insurance. Appointments required. Call 978-937-6023 to register. Please note you will need to bring a letter from your child's school stating which vaccines they are missing.

--School-Based Health Center at Lowell High and Stoklosa Middle Schools

Lowell Community Health Center’s School-Based Health Centers provide medical and behavioral health services directly within the school setting, including school-required vaccinations. Visit Lowell Community Health Center's webpage for more information and to request an appointment: lchealth.org/health-wellness/medical-services/school-based-health-centers/

This program also has a Mobile Health Unit offering vaccines. Call 978-746-7770 to make an appointment. (See below.)

--Pharmacies

Many retail pharmacies offer routine vaccines. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for a list of pharmacies in or near Lowell that may offer the vaccines your child needs.

Seasonal COVID vaccine

COVID vaccine will be available in Massachusetts pharmacies in fall 2025 despite federal changes.

On September 4, 2025, MDPH and Governor Healy announced several actions they have taken that will all allow CVS and Walgreens in Massachusetts to administer COVID vaccines to individuals ages 5+. Children under 5 can get the vaccine from their primary care provider. Additionally, insurance companies will be required to pay for the vaccines. According to the announcement, CVS and Walgreens are working to open appointments ASAP.

Seasonal flu vaccine

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year with rare exceptions. You and your children should receive your flu shot from your primary health care provider.

--Lowell Health Department Vaccine Clinic

The Lowell Health Department offers free flu vaccines for people 18 years and older with or without insurance. Visit our clinic webpage for more information. 

--Pharmacies

Most retail pharmacies offer annual flu vaccines starting in late August or early September. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for a list of pharmacies in or near Lowell that may offer vaccines.

Routine vaccines for adults

Routine vaccines are vaccines that are recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Most people think of these as childhood vaccines that you get before starting school, but there are also routine vaccines for adolescents and adults. Some adults who are new to the country may be missing requires vaccines.

Click here for more information about the vaccines you may need as an adult.

--Lowell Health Department Vaccine Clinic

The Lowell Health Department Vaccine Clinic offers some routine vaccinations for adults without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover vaccines. We are working on offering more vaccines. If you are looking for a vaccine we don't offer, 

Visit our clinic webpage for more information. 

--Pharmacies

Many retail pharmacies offer routine vaccines. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for a list of pharmacies in or near Lowell that may offer vaccines.

Travel vaccines

International travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are rare or not found in United States. Depending on your destination, specific medicines or vaccines may be recommended before your trip. You should see your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist at least one month before you leave. 

Click here for information on how to stay healthy while traveling, including destination-specific recommendations.

Click here to more information about travel vaccines: https://www.vaccineinformation.org/vaccine-basics/travel-vaccine-basics/

--Find a travel clinic near Lowell

Click here for a directory of travel health clinics in Massachusetts from the International Society of Travel Medicine.

Passport Health: Chelmsford Travel Clinic 978-231-9858

Many CVS locations also offer travel consultations and vaccines. Visit their website to search by service and location.

Pharmacies

Many retail pharmacies offer vaccines for those with and without health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, you will most likely need to pay for the vaccines at the time of your visit. 

Visit vaccines.gov to search for nearby pharmacies by zip code.

 Be sure to check with the pharmacy about the availability of your vaccine before going for an appointment. The out-of-pocket prices for vaccines are usually available on the pharmacy's website; if you have health insurance, check with your insurance company to find out if vaccines are covered.

Vaccine records

MIIS

All providers who administer immunizations in Massachusetts are mandated to report them to a central database called the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), which was created in 2011. The goal of the MIIS is to give health care providers and families a tool to help ensure that all individuals are immunized based on the latest recommendations. The MIIS enables for a more complete, accurate, secure, real-time immunization record for residents of Massachusetts of all ages.

You can request your vaccine records from MIIS at myvaxrecords.mass.gov

For more information about MIIS, visit this webpage: mass.gov/info-details/about-the-massachusetts-immunization-information-system-miis

Locating old vaccine records

Please note that the Lowell Health Department can only provide records only for vaccines administered by the Health Department or those available in the MIIS.

If you received a vaccine at the Lowell Health Department before 2011, please call the Public Health Nursing Division to request your records. 

For more tips on locating old immunization records: immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p3065.pdf