Upcoming Webinar about COVID Booster and Vaccines for Younger Children
Join us Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 12:00-1:00pm for a webinar on What you Need to Know about the COVID-19 Booster and Vaccine for Younger Children. Dr. Chrystal Wittcopp, Medical Director of Baystate General Pediatrics, will be sharing important information and answering questions about these current COVID-19 discussion points.
When can I get vaccinated
All people age 12+ who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can be vaccinated. People ages 12-17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine. People age 18 and older can receive any vaccine. Learn more.
Where Can I get Vaccinated?
- COVID-19 Vaccine Finder: Search vaccine locations. This website shows appointment availability for Mass vaccination sites and some local Board of Health sites.
- Vaccine Clinics in Springfield: See listing of vaccine clinics and pop-ups in Springfield.
- Vaccination Locations and Bus Routes in the PVTA Service Area: Find a list of COVID-19 vaccination sites in the PVTA service area and which bus routes service them.
- Vaccine Scheduling Help Lines: List of local contacts that offer assistance scheduling vaccination.
- COVID-19 Homebound Vaccination Program: Any individual who has trouble getting to a vaccine site is eligible for the homebound program. Individuals can call (833) 983-0485 to register for an in-home vaccination. The registration phone line is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and has representatives who speak English and Spanish, as well as translation services available in 100+ languages.
Vaccine Information
- Recording and materials from 3/5/21 Webinar, The COVID Vaccine: Personal & Professional Perspectives Within African American and Latino Communities
- Recording and materials from 2/5/21 Webinar, COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know
- Questions and Misconceptions about the vaccine from Trinity Health of New England
- Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions from Mass.gov
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information from Baystate Health
- COVID-19 Vaccine information from Baystate Health in Spanish and Russian
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information from Cooley Dickinson Healthcare/Mass General Bringham
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information from Trinity Health of New England
I've been vaccinated, Now what?
Effective July 30, the Department of Public Health has issued a new mask advisory in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Fully vaccinated individuals are advised to wear a mask or face covering when indoors outside of your home if you have a weakened immune system, are at increased risk for COVID-19 or if someone in your household is at increased risk or unvaccinated. Masks are still mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
Masks continue to be required in certain settings, whether you are vaccinated or not:
- On public and private transportation,
- Inside K-12 public schools, collaboratives, approved special education schools,
- Inside childcare programs,
- In health care facilities and provider offices,
- In congregate care settings,
- In health care and rehabilitative day services and programs.
CDC Guidance
On July 27, 2021 the CDC updated their recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals given new evidence about the highly contagious delta variant that is currently circulating in the US. Recent changes include:
- It is recommended that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
- Fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
- CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
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