Upcoming New Bedford vaccination clinics; now offering booster shots

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. Available vaccines can change according to supplies. Clinics now are offering CDC-approved booster shots for eligible recipients, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines. Details on boosters are below.

Friday, October 22:

• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J and Moderna
• New Bedford High School (230 Hathaway Blvd.) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Saturday, October 23:

• Cape Verdeans Veterans Association Hall (561 Purchase St.) – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pfizer and Moderna

Monday, October 25:

• Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Tuesday, October 26:

• Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J and Moderna
• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
• Normandin Middle School (81 Felton St.) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Wednesday, October 27:

• Keith Middle School (225 Hathaway Blvd) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Thursday, October 28:

• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
• Roosevelt Middle School (119 Frederick St.) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Background on Clinic Restorations:

Last week, state health officials briefly withdrew state support for certain COVID-19 vaccination clinics in New Bedford, and elsewhere in the region. Three clinics at New Bedford Public Schools were canceled as a result.

This week, the state has restored support for school-based and Block-by-Block clinics through Nov. 3, following previously published schedules. State and city health officials are still finalizing support and schedules for local vaccine clinics after Nov. 3.

Booster Shots Approved for Eligible Recipients: The CDC now has approved booster recommendations for Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines. Booster shots are available at local vaccine clinics, for people who are eligible under the following criteria.

For people who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For anyone 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot is recommended two or more months after their initial shot.

Mixing & Matching:

The CDC also has approved mixing and matching of vaccine types for the booster dose. When first getting vaccinated, people should still get two doses of the same vaccine type, but for the booster, a different vaccine from the initial series can be used, following the criteria above.

More info: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations, especially ahead of the holidays: Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important ahead of the holiday season, when large family gatherings could lead to super-spreader events among people who are unvaccinated.

City leaders and health officials are urging unvaccinated residents to get their first shot and begin vaccination as soon as possible, in order to have safe and healthy