Public Health Information

News Announcements: Stay Informed

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Updated November 1, 2022: Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics released:

 The Commonwealth, the Northeast and much of the US are seeing increases in respiratory illness in infants and children. Some of these infants and children are requiring hospitalization for support with breathing and hydration. Emergency departments and other acute care health facilities have been managing significant increases in the number of patients requiring care.  

Most of these illnesses are caused by respiratory viral infections, including common seasonal viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and enterovirus, and influenza. Infants and children may be particularly susceptible to seasonal respiratory viral infections during the 2022-2023 fall and winter because they have had limited previous exposure to these respiratory viruses. We anticipate that there could be more respiratory illnesses as RSV continues to spread and influenza season ramps up. 

The Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics want to remind parents and families about steps to take to prevent illness and stay healthy this season: 

1. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against influenza as soon as possible.
2. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against COVID-19; children 5 and older who had their primary series more than 2 months ago should receive an updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. 
3. Remember, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time. 
4. If your infant has been offered treatment with protective antibodies due to their prematurity or another condition, keep on schedule with their monthly treatments. 
5. Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an elbow, not a hand. 
6. Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
7. Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, especially with a cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.
8. Avoid social gatherings if you or your children are ill. 
9. Contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you believe your child needs medical care. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID or flu, and the best location (doctor’s office, urgent care, emergency room) for care.

 Thank you for doing all you can to keep you and your family healthy during this fall and winter season. 

Updated October 17, 2022:  

FAQ's Regarding Vaccinations against COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza (flu):  

What vaccines against COVID-19 are approved? 

CDC has approved the expanded use of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years. This follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and from Moderna for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years. Updated COVID-19 vaccines help to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and help to fight off a wider range of variants. These are critical next steps forward in our country’s vaccination program—a program that has helped provide increased protection against severe COVID-19 disease and death.  

What is the recommended schedule for vaccination against COVID-19? 

The recommendation is that people should wait at least two months from their last COVID-19 vaccine dose to get a bivalent booster. Most people (ages 5 and older) are now eligible for a booster having received their last booster approximately six to ten months ago. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest data. 

What vaccines can I get through the Weston Board of Health? 

The Town of Weston Board of Health echoes CDC/FDA recommendation that everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group, but we do not have vaccine in stock for our younger residents. We are offering the Pfizer Bivalent vaccine for ages 12+ and the Moderna Bivalent vaccine for ages 18+, and vaccine against the flu for ages 9+. 

When can I get vaccinated through the Weston Board of Health? 

Contact us to find out more information on when our next clinic will be offered.

For other local clinics and vaccination locations visit: vaxfinder.mass.gov/ 

Where can I find the latest COVID-19 guidance and information? 

Visit Mass.gov/isol8 for the latest information for the general public and links to school, congregate living and healthcare guidance. Visit this site.  

Helpful Tips

The best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine. CDC recommends that almost everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October. As long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout flu season, even into January or later.

 While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, for example, it’s estimated that between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group. 

 If you cannot attend the clinic we have scheduled in Weston call your doctor or your local pharmacy and, if you are 65 or older as about options specifically formulated for your age group. 

 Everyone should stay up to date with all the vaccines they are eligible for. Use this vaccine finder to find an alternative location or call your public health nurse with questions at 781-786-5033.

 Remember, vaccines are designed to protect against severe illness and death. If you feel unwell this winter please call your doctor who can discuss antiviral medicines that can help you recover from the illness you are experiencing, including flu or COVID-19. Stay home away from others and follow medical advice to protect your community and help keep Weston well.