New law provides needed funding for shelters, food security and child care, while also extending several COVID-era programs and policies. “Governor Maura T. Healey signed a $388.7 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 that provides critical and timely resources to the state’s family shelter system to meet surging demand, …
Read More »Massachusetts Gov. Healey to rescind vaccine mandate, end COVID-19 public health emergency
Administration also files legislation to extend certain staffing flexibilities for health care providers; Will rescind vaccine mandate for Executive Branch employees on May 11. “Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that the state’s COVID-19 public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023, to align with the end of the federal …
Read More »Two former directors of Boston Nonprofit indicted on additional fraud charges
“Defendants allegedly defrauded Boston COVID-19 relief fund and Boston Office of Housing Stability. The former founder and chief executive of the local nonprofit Violence in Boston (VIB) and her husband, also a former founding director of the organization, have been charged in a superseding indictment today charging additional schemes to …
Read More »Massachusetts officials remind residents about importance of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
“With flu season underway, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding residents of all ages to get vaccinated. Flu activity across the country is higher than usual so far this year. Residents can get both a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster in the same visit. “This flu …
Read More »New Bedford holiday schedules for FREE COVID-19 testing and vaccine locations
“Residents encouraged to stock up on free COVID-19 test kits available at public libraries. Local COVID-19 vaccine locations, including Project Beacon’s appointment-based COVID-19 testing at New Bedford Regional Airport, are changing their upcoming schedules to accommodate the Christmas and New Year holidays. All local COVID-19 vaccine and testing locations will …
Read More »New Bedford residents encouraged to stock up on FREE COVID-19 test kits as holiday season begins
“Building on the successful prior rounds of test kit distribution, the City of New Bedford is continuing to make available free, at-home COVID-19 test kits at public libraries across the city. The free distribution coincides with the start of the holiday season and the approach of potential increases in COVID-19 …
Read More »New Bedford residents encouraged to get COVID-19 vaccine ahead of Holiday season
“Free, walk-up COVID-19 clinics in New Bedford offer all CDC-approved vaccine doses and boosters, for adults and youth. Bringing your vaccination card when getting a booster shot is helpful, but not required. Clinics provided by Seven Hills Behavioral Health, unless otherwise marked. NOTE: The Seven Hills vaccine clinic at PAACA …
Read More »City of New Beford announces 3rd round of FREE at-home COVID test kit distribution
Free tests available at public libraries as new school year begins. City health and emergency management officials are coordinating with the city’s public libraries to distribute free, at-home COVID-19 test kits, available until supplies last. The free distribution coincides with the start of the school year and the approach of …
Read More »FDA Authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Down to 6 Months of Age
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include use in children down to 6 months of age. – For the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) …
Read More »Massachusetts Department of Public Health Releases Updated Mask Advisory
The Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated guidance regarding the use of masks and face coverings in the Commonwealth. Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates with over 84 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and over half of adults boosted, and in light of recent …
Read More »