Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment to Host Three Public Vaccine Clinics in September and October

Clinics will provide an opportunity to get the recently approved COVID-19 bivalent booster, and/or the influenza vaccine for the 2022/2023 flu season

September 8, 2022 (Barnstable, MA) – Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment’s Public Health Nursing Division will be offering three public vaccine clinics for administration of both the COVID-19 bivalent booster (or “updated booster”) and/or the 2022/2023 influenza vaccine. The clinics will be held at the Harborview Conference Room at 3195 Main Street in Barnstable Village at the following dates and times:

September 21, 2022, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

September 30, 2022, 9:00 AM to 12: 00 PM

October 5, 2022, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Accommodations will be provided for those with impaired mobility.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and can pre-register for a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster and/or influenza vaccine at the following link:

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/barnstable?calendar=53d670fc-9ea3-4720-8b22-15be78562f8d. Anyone who requires telephone assistance to register for these clinics may call the COVID-19 Helpline at (774) 330-3001.

We are unable to accept walk-ins and will not administer vaccine to anyone who does not have an appointment. Participants should arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time to prevent lines and long wait times.

Homebound individuals who would like to receive an updated COVID-19 booster can call the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) at (508) 957-7737 to schedule a visit.

Like the flu vaccine, the updated COVID-19 boosters are bivalent, meaning they protect against two different viruses or two strains of the same virus. In this case, the boosters target the original COVID-19 strain and the newer omicron variant. Reported side effects are the same as the original vaccine. It is safe and effective to receive the updated booster and the flu vaccine simultaneously, or patients may choose to receive them on separate dates.

It is important to note that the original monovalent Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use as boosters in people ages 12 years and older. The FDA made this decision because the updated booster is designed to offer more protection from the circulating omicron variant.

For vaccination and booster schedules by vaccine manufacturer, visit CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html. For information on vaccination and booster shots in Barnstable County visit Vaccine Information – Barnstable County (capecod.gov). You may also find and schedule vaccination appointments at local pharmacies and community health clinics through https://vaxfinder.mass.gov.

ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY DERPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT 

Established under a Special Act of the Legislature in 1926, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment (BCDHE) provides regional public health and environmental health services throughout the 15 towns comprising Barnstable County. The Department manages several environmental, public health, and homeland security grants funded through state and federal resources. The Department’s primary mission is to protect public health and the environment and promote the physical and mental health and well-being of Barnstable County residents. 

ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at  https://www.capecod.gov/

MEDIA CONTACT:  Bethany Traverse, Health Communications Coordinator, bethany.traverse@barnstablecounty.org