COVID-19 Information

Updated January 11, 2022

Digital Vaccine Card Available for those Vaccinated in Massachusetts:

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history. The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card, which would contain similar vaccination information to a paper CDC card. The COVID-19 digital vaccine cards produced by the system utilize the SMART Health Card platform and generate a QR code that can be used to verify vaccination.  Access the new tool at MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov.

How It Works: The new tool is easy to use: a person enters their name, date of birth, and mobile phone number or email associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN. My Vax Records is just one way residents can obtain their COVID vaccination record. Pharmacies that administered the COVID vaccine and many health care providers also are making SMART Health Cards available or are providing additional options. Learn more.

COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine / Booster Clinic in Weston:

This clinic is offered by Transformative Healthcare via Weston Public Health and is rescheduled due to snow from January 7

When: Friday, January 21, 2022, 2 PM to 5 PM Weston Community Center, Great Room

What: Pfizer Vaccine or Booster Doses

Register: Click here to register for a Pfizer dose/booster

• First or Second Pediatric Dose (for those aged 5-11 years old)
• First or Second Adult Dose (for those aged 12 and up who have not yet been fully vaccinated
• Booster (for eligible individuals 12 year and up, for whom it has been 5 months since completion of primary series of Pfizer mRNA vaccine/6 months since completion of primary series of Moderna mRNA vaccine OR 2 months since completion of Johnson & Johnson (Jaansen) 

Why: Vaccination and boosting against COVID-19 protects you, your loved ones and your community from infection! Learn more!

Additional Information:

• Individuals will be vaccinated free of charge regardless of insurance coverage. If insured, please enter insurance information in the online registration. Once registered online there is no need to bring an insurance card to the clinic. 
• If you are coming for a booster, please bring your CDC vaccine card. 
• If this date doesn’t work for you visit VaxFinder.Mass.Gov to find another date/time. Tip: The larger, State-sponsored sites like Fenway Park and the Melena Cass Recreation Center will have appointments sooner than smaller retail pharmacies.

Layered Measures to Reduce your Risk of Getting and Spreading COVID-19:

Get your vaccine, get your booster: Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children, by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated. Use the Massachusetts DPH Vax Finder and expand your search fields to include all site types for the fastest appointments. Also, if clinics appear full there may be openings the day of or the day before so check back. If you are unable to navigate the computer for scheduling dial 2-1-1 on your phone. If you are homebound call (781) 786-5033 for assistance.

The Town of Weston is working to host booster and vaccine clinics for residents in the coming weeks. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to visit the State’s Vax Finder and COVID-19 Testing Locator. 

Residents are reminded that getting a vaccine and booster remain the best way to protect against serious illness or hospitalization from COVID. The Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated COVID breakthrough data on 12/20/2021 week showing that 97% of COVID breakthrough cases in Massachusetts have not resulted in hospitalization or death. Unvaccinated individuals are five times more likely to contract COVID than fully vaccinated individuals and 31 times more likely to contract COVID than individuals who have a booster.

Plan: Communicate openly with family and friends about your vaccination status and that of your guests. Discuss your risk tolerance. Plan for what to do if anyone has symptoms (delay travel and seek testing.)

Mask Advisory: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released an updated mask advisory on 12/21/2021, recommending that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering in indoor, public spaces (inside when not at home). 

DPH particularly urges this recommendation for individuals who have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease because of age (60 and older) or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated, has a weakened immune system, or is at increased risk for severe disease.

 All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities.  Please see here for a complete list of venues where face coverings have remained mandatory since May 29, 2021. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s current mask requirement and Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold issued on September 27^th, 2021 is not impacted by this advisory. 

 To read the full advisory, visit: here.

Testing:

• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• PCR tests are still the gold standard and most sensitive test for COVID-19. They are required in some situations, like for air travel or return to school or work. Observed antigen tests (like at a doctor's office) are also called for in some situations.
• Consider buying rapid antigen self-tests to have on hand for home use if you are symptomatic or are notified that you are a close contact.   See self-test information from the CDC for more information.  Self-testing is just one way to test for COVID-19. Use the COVID-19 Testing Locator to find a lab-run test near you. 
• Where to Buy Self Tests: Walmart.com, Walgreens, Amazon are all great places to start a search for home kits (tests with either FDA approval or FDA EUA approval). These tests can seem hard to find but inventory is restocked regularly.  Seek tests that are FDA or FDA EUA approved. If someone doesn't have them today shipments arrive daily to many of the larger stores.
• NOTE: The Town of Weston received a small shipment of home tests that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has asked the Town to distribute to those in our community with an emphasis on providing access to testing for those in our community who are facing financial and/or transportation constraints. The Town is working with community partners to get the tests into the homes of people in need, including via the schools in Weston. The Council on Aging has identified older adults with food, fuel, and financial constraint, or mobility restriction in our community, and will distribute tests beginning this week, including to residents of Brooks School Apartments and Merriam Village.
•  If you are under 65 and unable to afford home testing or unable to reach a testing center (are without transportation) please call (781) 786-5033.

Ventilate: Hosting an event? Ventilate; opening your windows about 6 inches to allow the flow and exchange of air can help reduce the number of viral respiratory particles in the air.

Stay Informed: Get Notifications: Enable MassNotify on your smartphone - This private and anonymous service notifies users of potential exposure to COVID-19 so they may take the appropriate precautions.

Stay Well:

• Wash your hands frequently and with vigor for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Care for your physical and mental health during this complex time – call your doctor if you feel like you cannot cope. Help is available.

If you test positive for COVID-19 (Isolation), regardless of vaccination or booster status:

• Stay at home for 5 days
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your home
• You must continue to wear a mask (indoors and outdoors) around others for 5 additional days (10 days total)

 If you were in exposed to someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine):

• If you are boosted OR are fully vaccinated within the last 6 months, and are ASYMPTOMATIC:
  • Wear a mask (indoors and outdoors) around others for 10 days
  • Test on day 5 with a PCR-type test (schedule this as soon as you know of your exposure)
  • If you test positive and/or develop symptoms follow the steps for isolation above
• If you are NOT boosted or were fully vaccinated more than 6 months ago OR you are unvaccinated:
  • Stay at home for 5 days and continue to mask around others (indoors and outdoors) for 5 additional days (10 days total)·       
  • Test on day 5 with a PCR-type test (schedule this as soon as you know of your exposure)
  • If you test positive or develop symptoms follow Isolation guidance above

If you are symptomatic, regardless of booster or vaccination status seek a test and call the Board of Health or your supervisor to discuss next steps:

• If you are positive follow Isolation guidance above
• If you are negative but have had an exposure to someone with COVID-19, seek a PCR-type test even if you have a negative self-test, call the Board of Health to discuss next steps.
• If you test negative but continue to have symptoms AND are unsure whether you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, call your healthcare provider to discuss next steps.

 Who to notify if you test positive:

• Any unvaccinated close contacts at home. These people should quarantine away from others at home. See Quarantine information above.
• Any fully vaccinated close contacts should be made aware of your positive test. These people should watch for symptoms, and test 5 days from last close contact with the COVID-19 positive person. 

• Please report a positive test to your child’s school/daycare or your workplace so that contact tracing can occur, and a school nurse or your board of health can support you/your family.

 Visit www.WestonMA.gov/health or www.Mass.gov/isol8 for more information.

 If you test positive you are encouraged to get a PCR test to confirm infection, but this is not required. To stop the spread of COVID-19 please follow the Isolation guidance above.

Regarding Travel: If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation under Federal Order and follow international travel recommendations.
• Know before you go: Check testing requirements before travel.

Special Considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
• Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

Symptom Assessment: You are asked to be particularly vigilant about self-assessment for symptoms. Symptoms of a COVID-19 infection can include any of the following, which are also common to the common cold and other viruses, influenza (seasonal flu) and even allergies: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache in combination with other symptoms, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.