New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Pediatric Vaccines Arriving in City; McCoy Rec Center a “One-Stop Shop” for Vaccinations and Boosters; Start Vaccinations Now to Have Safe and Healthy Holidays in December.
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 and, at some locations, pediatric vaccines. Details on boosters and pediatric vaccines are below.
Friday, November 5:
• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old
Saturday, November 6:
• Riverside Park (Belleville Ave., North End) – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer and J&J
Monday, Nov. 8:
• Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old
Tuesday, Nov. 9:
• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
• Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna
Thursday, Nov. 11:
• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
Pediatric Vaccines Available: COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years old are arriving in New Bedford and will be available at upcoming clinics, including Friday, Nov. 5, at PAACA on Coggeshall Street and Monday, Nov. 8, at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center.
“Mondays at McCoy” are One-Stop Shop for Vaccines: With the arrival of pediatric vaccines at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, the center’s Monday clinics from 2 to 7 p.m. – upcoming dates include Nov. 8, 15, and 22 – are now “one-stop shops” for families and people of all ages seeking COVID-19 protection, whether it be first or second doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines, boosters, or pediatric vaccines.
In-Home Vaccination Available by Appointment: The city and state are offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for elderly residents or those not able to travel to a clinic. To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna or J&J) with the New Bedford Health Department, call the department’s main line, 508-991-6199, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, call the In-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
For more information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-in-home-vaccination-program
Booster Shots Approved for Eligible Recipients: The CDC 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
***Moderna boosters now available at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, Fire Station 11, and PAACA clinics***
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.
**Start vaccinations now to be fully vaccinated by late December and the New Year**
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 holidays.
