Upcoming Vaccine Clinics Jan. 8-15

New Saturday Hours at McCoy Rec Center

The Andrea McCoy Recreation Center on Hillman Street holds its first Saturday vaccination clinic of 2022 tomorrow, Jan. 8, with new hours. Seven Hills Behavioral Health will offer COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, including pediatric vaccines, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the recreation center, a change from the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday hours offered there last month. The later start enables more recreational programming at the center earlier in the morning.

Free, walk-up COVID-19 clinics in New Bedford offer CDC-approved booster shots, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines and, at most locations, pediatric vaccines. Please bring your vaccination card when getting a booster.

Visit vaxnb.com for updated schedules of local COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations. Upcoming vaccine locations in New Bedford include:

Saturday, Jan. 8:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, boosters, pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Monday, Jan. 10:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, boosters, pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Friday, Jan. 14:

  • PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, boosters, w/ pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Saturday, Jan. 15:

  • Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, boosters, pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old
  • Gabriel Parish (343 Tarkiln Hill Road) – 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Pfizer vaccines, including pediatric and booster doses, and Moderna vaccines

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations, especially during winter months: Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important during the winter months, when indoor gatherings can lead to super-spreader events, clusters, hospitalizations, and severe illness among people who are unvaccinated.

Boosters critical after vaccinations:

As of Jan. 6, more than 54 percent of New Bedford residents were fully vaccinated, but only about 15 percent of residents had received a booster shot. Boosters are critically important for eligible people – those who completed their vaccinations two months ago, for Johnson & Johnson; five months ago, for Pfizer; and six months ago, for Moderna – as immunity from vaccines can wane. Booster shots can reduce risks of hospitalization and severe illness, and are particularly important given the emerging omicron variant, which may be more likely to evade immune responses.

Pfizer boosters now approved for youth 12 years and older

The CDC, FDA, and Massachusetts public health officials all have given approval for the use of Pfizer boosters by vaccinated, eligible youth 12 years and older. Pfizer boosters are offered at all local clinics listed above.