Healey: Vaccine shots for everybody

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Gov. Maura Healey spent much of this week on defense, batting back questions about how to handle the Trump administration’s escalation against the wind power sector and how to respond if the National Guard troopers were sent into Massachusetts.

But hours after a bipartisan panel of senators on Capitol Hill grilled and ripped RFK Jr., the U.S. health and human services secretary, over his skepticism of vaccines and the ouster of the Centers for Disease Control director, she went on offense, with state public health officials standing behind her.

Massachusetts is decoupling from federal government health care policies, due to a CDC “hijacked” by “people who don’t believe in science,” Healey said. She pointed to the state Department of Public Health putting out a standing order allowing pharmacists to provide COVID-19 booster shots to state residents over the age of 5.

“If you want a vaccine, we’re going to be able to provide it for you in Massachusetts,” Healey said at a fiery press conference, noting that vaccine maker Moderna is based in the Bay State. (Hours after Healey’s announcement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared to be following suit.)

“To play politics with vaccines is dangerous, and our state will not bend to the partisan decisions made in Washington that are putting our communities at risk,” said Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public health commissioner. 

But given the country’s hyper-polarized condition, it’s impossible to divorce politics from anything these days. And the Bay State’s vaccine policy, based on scientific consensus, is also good politics here. 

A statewide poll of 1,015 registered voters, conducted in July, found 84% are concerned that diseases like measles will return if vaccines aren’t required for school-age children, and 69% feel the state should require vaccines over parental objections. The poll – conducted by Beacon Research for the three-year-old advocacy group Massachusetts Families for Vaccines – also found that 71% believe there should be consistent vaccine rules that apply to everyone.

The state GOP declined to comment on Healey’s announcement, and spokespeople for the two Republican candidates for governor, Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Healey administration’s moves also offer a contrast to Florida, which is dominated by Republicans in the same way Massachusetts is dominated by Democrats. Florida leaders, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, are looking to end vaccine mandates for schoolchildren, which Healey called “crazy.”

“I think a lot of people are going to think twice about going to Florida,” she said. “I don't think measles was a souvenir that you were looking to return with after a trip to Disney World.”

For all the politics involved, the battle over vaccines appears to be personal for Healey, too. “It blows my mind. I can't imagine, as a governor, ever doing something like Ron DeSantis did, that puts people in harm's way,” she said, her voice breaking. “And that's what that does.”

What was your take on the Healey administration’s move? Drop me a line: [email protected].

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MassDOT is rushing a secretive 35-year lease with Applegreen, despite inflated numbers, weak financials, and better alternatives. KPMG flagged serious flaws, yet the deal moves forward. Public oversight is missing, and $900M in rent is at risk. Legislators must act now. Before signing away public assets for decades, the MassDOT Board must pause and review. Learn more.

8:30 | New England Council hosts an event with Congressman Jake Auchincloss titled “Protecting New England Communities from Forever Chemicals.” | UMass Club, One Beacon St., Boston

10:00 | U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern speaks at the grand opening of the Campus Pantry, a partnership between UMass Amherst and the Amherst Survival Center. | 472 North Pleasant St., Amherst

10:30 | Several state lawmakers host a Brazilian Independence Day event featuring music, storytelling, and remarks from Rep. Farley Santos, a Brazilian-American elected official from Connecticut. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll gives remarks at 11:45 a.m. A 1 p.m. flag-raising follows at Boston City Hall | Great Hall, State House, Boston

11:00 | U.S. Sen. Ed Markey , joined by former CDC director Rochelle Walensky, holds a press conference to "slam" U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. for using anti-vaccine rhetoric and to "call for the secretary’s resignation amidst mismanagement and reckless cuts to the country’s health care infrastructure." | Codman Square Community Health Center, 637 Washington St., Boston

KELLER AT LARGE: 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV. Political analyst Jon Keller's guest is Brian Shortsleeve, a Republican candidate for governor. They discuss housing policy, taxes and immigration issues.

NBC10 BOSTON: 9:30 a.m., NBC 10. Reporter Matt Prichard interviews Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson.

ON THE RECORD: 11 a.m., WCVB. The guest is U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, whose district includes Lawrence, Lowell and Fitchburg.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, who has drawn support for 2026 reelection from the various ranks of state lawmakers, picked up endorsements from the House and Senate’s top Democratic leaders. House Speaker Ron Mariano of Quincy and Senate President Karen Spilka of Ashland formally endorsed him Friday. Markey, 79, is gearing up for a reelection effort that could see a Democratic primary challenge, and likely GOP opposition to another six-year term. 

“His leadership on advancing climate justice, securing funding for critical community projects, and defending equal rights, among many issues, is rooted in fairness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving the American people,” Spilka said in a statement.

Mariano’s separate statement noted that Markey was a state representative before running for Congress. (Markey, who hails from Malden, notably won a Congressional seat in 1976 with an ad that highlighted him standing up to “State House bosses” by pushing a judicial reform bill.)

“Senator Markey’s partnership with our cities and towns has, time and time again, resulted in funding and resources for transportation, infrastructure, education, and environmental projects across our Commonwealth,” Mariano said.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has a massive lead over challenger Josh Kraft, with 72% of surveyed Boston voters supporting the incumbent and 22% backing the son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, according to Emerson College Polling.

“Nearly 3 in 4 Boston voters (73%) have a favorable view of Wu, while 24% have an unfavorable view of the Mayor,” the polling outfit said in a release. “A majority of voters (58%) hold an unfavorable view of Kraft, while 26% have a favorable view.”

The survey of 555 likely voters was conducted earlier this week, with early voting already underway ahead of the Sept. 9 preliminary. The poll results come as Kraft has parted ways with top advisers Will Keyser and Eileen O’Connor, and confirmed to Bloomberg that he put in another $3.5 million into his campaign.

SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Voting rights advocates are pushing for changes to election laws as November municipal races loom. One top proposal is same-day voter registration statewide. – MassLive

AUGUST TAX HAUL: Tax collections rose 6.4% over collections in August 2024, lifted by higher income withholding and estate tax receipts. – State House News Service

CANNABIS AGENCY SAGA: Shannon O’Brien’s reinstatement as the chair of the Cannabis Control Commission still remains a ways off as Treasurer Deb Goldberg appealed a Superior Court judge’s ruling in O’Brien’s favor. – Boston Herald

Boston is at an economic crossroads. The vitality of its downtown business district, drained by the COVID-19 epidemic, continues to slowly rebound but has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Commercial property values have declined, creating the potential for major budget challenges for the most property-tax dependent big city in America. With Boston’s financial underpinnings at risk, what is the strategy and vision for Boston’s future, particularly for its major business districts? Join business and community leaders to explore challenges and opportunities ahead. Register here!

HARVARD’S TALL TASK: Harvard University scored a legal win over the Trump administration, but the institution is still heavily dependent on the federal government for future research grants and its tax-exempt status. – Wall Street Journal

TRUMP SUES WU: The Trump administration is suing the city of Boston and Mayor Michelle Wu over the policy limiting cooperation of immigration enforcement to criminal matters that violate federal law. The lawsuit targets the city’s 2014 Trust Act, signed by then-Mayor Marty Walsh. – WBUR 

YOUNG DRIVERS: Massachusetts Department of Transportation data show 2025 will be the deadliest for young drivers in a decade. State transportation officials are voicing concern about the trend and its trajectory. – GBH News

MASS. AND CASS: Residents living in Boston’s South End voiced frustrations over the crime and drug use in the area known as Mass. and Cass. – Boston Globe

BOSTON PUBLIC MARKET CEO: Cheryl Cronin, the CEO of the nonprofit Boston Public Market and a former adviser to John Kerry and Tom Menino, is leaving the post she’s held for the last decade. – Boston Business Journal

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: A resolution “in support of democracy” causes sparks to fly at an Easthampton City Council meeting. – Daily Hampshire Gazette

IN MEMORIAM: Nick Mitropoulos, a political operative who served as Gov. Michael Dukakis’s director of personnel and a 1988 presidential campaign aide, has died. He was 73. – More information on services

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