Dear all,
I write to you today with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources as well as recent legislative news.
Table of Contents
- State Updates
- National Updates
- Cambridge Updates
- COVID-19 Testing Information
- MA Vaccination Updates
- Vaccination Appointment Resources
- This Week’s Case Count
- Mental Health Services and Resources
- Where to Give
DPH Hosting Back-to-School Vaccination Clinics
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative is joining with communities to host back-to-school vaccination clinics for children and families. Visit mass.gov/KidsClinic for dates and locations. If your child cannot attend a community clinic, you can request in-home vaccination (see bit.ly/3Sbvvpe for details).
CDC Recommends Updated Booster Shots for Better Protection Against Omicron
On September 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster shots for better protection against COVID-19 Omicron variants. The updated Moderna booster is authorized for people ages 18 years and older. The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for people ages 12 years and older. The CDC expects to recommend updated COVID-19 boosters for other pediatric groups in the coming weeks. Individuals are eligible to receive the new bivalent booster dose if it has been at least two months since they completed a primary vaccine series or received their most recent booster dose. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3qgfZN0
If you’ve had a recent COVID-19 infection, you may consider delaying a booster shot by three months, according to the recommendation from CDC vaccine advisors. Learn more: https://n.pr/3RxXwHM.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics:
The Cambridge Public Health Department is hosting free flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the Cambridge community. Seasonal flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent booster, will be available. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xpweeG
COVID-19 Testing Information
Cambridge Appointment-Only Testing
Appointment-only testing, provided through a partnership with CIC Health, is available 7 days per week to people who live or work in Cambridge. Testing at CIC Health’s 295 Third Street location is available during the following hours:
- Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Appointments can be booked online at cic-health.com/cambridge, or assistance is available from CIC’s Customer Service Team at support@cic-health.com or by calling 877-280-2937.
State COVID-19 Testing
Please visit mass.gov/GetTested.
Home PCR Tests for Adults
Please visit t.ly/vL4j for details and to request a test kit.
MA Vaccination Updates
Vaccines and Boosters for Children
As a reminder, children aged 6 months and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and children ages 5 years and older are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose.
- Pediatricians’ Offices: Call your child’s doctor or nurse to determine vaccine availability.
- To see all Massachusetts vaccine locations and make appointments, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov or VaxAbilities.com for children with sensory and/or other accommodation needs.
Residents who have received at least 1 dose: 108,026
Fully Vaccinated Residents: 88,071
Residents with 1 Booster: 58,506
Residents with 2 Boosters: 14,589
Weekly DPH COVID-19 Vaccination Report
Total doses administered: 15,602,867
Total first booster doses administered: 3,243,110
Total second booster doses administered: 783,339
DPH Resources on COVID-19 and Monkeypox
COVID-19 FAQs: https://bit.ly/3aLrW99
Monkeypox information: mass.gov/monkeypox
This Week’s COVID-19 Case Count
Please note that these are only the reported cases. The actual case counts are underreported due to people using rapid tests at home.
Total Cases: 1,869,603
New Cases: 9,901
Total Deaths: 20,251
New PCR Tests: 128,592
Total Cases: 32,777
New Cases: 29
Total Deaths: 168
State interactive data dashboard: bit.ly/3Pe3hJk
Harvard COVID dashboard: bit.ly/3z8sa3C.
Mental Health Services and Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There are some great resources here: decker4rep.com/2021/mental-health-services-and-resources/.
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their intimate partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
Where to Give
I would like to thank Mayor Siddiqui for continuing to raise awareness on how to support the people of Pakistan who are suffering through catastrophic floods driven by climate change. The flooding has killed over 1,600 people and affected 33 million. The damage of the floods has been estimated at $30 billion, and more than 2 million homes have been damaged or destroyed. You can learn more about how the floods are linked to climate change here: https://bbc.in/3Bts7Aw.
You can donate to the below organizations that are working to provide relief to those who have been impacted by these floods:
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie