SOUTH DEERFIELD — With cold weather approaching, the South County Emergency Dispensing Group is organizing a drive-thru flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday, Oct. 22.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Works Garage at 9 Merrigan Way, people can get both their COVID-19 booster shot, including the new bivalent boosters, as well as flu shots for all ages. The South County Emergency Dispensing Group is partnering with Walgreens to provide vaccines. Everyone is eligible to sign up.
Walk-ins are accepted, but Deerfield Board of Health Chair Carolyn Shores Ness encourages folks to sign up in advance to “guarantee the number of vaccinators and vaccines.” All vaccines are free, but people should bring their insurance cards, if they have one. If someone doesn’t have an insurance card, they are still welcome to get vaccinated. The sign-up link is tinyurl.com/36sum4wx
“We’re encouraging everyone to do it to get ready for the winter season. … We don’t want kids to miss out on activities, so we’re encouraging people to get their shots,” Shores Ness said.
In the last two winters, COVID-19 cases have surged, with the omicron variant spreading rapidly in December 2021 and January 2022.
“COVID is still circulating, the numbers are going up,” Shores Ness said. “Hospitalizations are going up and it’s really critical people keep their vaccinations updated.”
The state Department of Public Health reported 7,865 COVID-19 cases and 60 deaths statewide in the two-week period ending Oct. 12. In Franklin County, there were 203 reported cases and two deaths in the same period.
Flu vaccines will be available for everyone ages 3 and older, with a high-dose shot available for seniors. COVID-19 bivalent vaccine boosters, which have been created to adapt to the omicron variant, will be available for people ages 12 and older. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines for children ages 6 and older.
Shores Ness said people can get both vaccines in one day, with the recommendation being one in each arm.
The South County Emergency Dispensing Group’s vaccine clinics have been successful in the past, with 108 high-dose flu shots given at the South County Senior Center this month and 281 COVID-19 vaccines administered at a clinic earlier this month.
“We’re really pleased people are taking it seriously. We have a high vaccination rate in South County,” Shores Ness said. “It all comes down to access and we’re trying everything we can do to get people access to shots so we can protect our community.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or
413-930-4081.