COVID INFORMATION
Masks are optional and ALL students, faculty, and staff are encouraged and supported to do what is most comfortable for them.
Testing in school will ONLY be for symptomatic cases that occur during the school day.
PHA continues to use enhanced cleaning procedures and ventilation protocols with air purifiers in every classroom and common space.
PHA encourages ALL community members to engage in universal hand washing precautions.
ALL faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated unless in exempt. Students are encouraged to receive vaccination to protect themselves, their families, and our school community.
HOW TO USE AN AT-HOME COVID TEST
VACCINATION: GET THE FACTS & THE VAX
Hear testimonials and facts about the COVID vaccine.
Find out about where you can receive a vaccine shot.
68.0% of PHA Students Grades 7-12 are now fully vaccinated!
Children ages 5-11 Years Old are ELIGIBLE for the COVID vaccine NOW!
COVID Booster is now approved for children 12 Years Old and up!
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS HOME DUE TO COVID
BMC.PHA.COVID Presentation and FAQ.pdfPHA & BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER's "ASK A DOCTOR" PANEL
THANK YOU to the over 50 families who attended our ASK A DOCTOR ABOUT THE VACCINE Panel on January 18th on Zoom. Please click on the slides to see all of the great information Boston Medical Center doctors shared with us!
VACCINE CLINICS NEAR US
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY!
CLICK HERE to find COVID and FLU vaccines in Cambridge!
SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY!
CLICK HERE to find COVID, FLU, and more vaccines in Somerville!
Any Somerville resident ages 5 and older who would like to receive their vaccine can also visit the CHA Vaccine Center (176 Somerville Ave). Information about other vaccine sites can be found at the link below. For any questions, or to request further assistance, please call 311 (617-666-3311).
City announces new vaccine clinics: Go to somervillema.gov/covidvaccine (click on the City Vaccination Clinics tab) for more details and to register.
CHELSEA COMMUNITY!
The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for young children ages 5-11 is now available at our Senior Center clinic. Also, that clinic has available Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for both initial vaccines and booster shots for all eligible individuals. As of today, all adults ages 18 or over are eligible for booster shots – 6 months after receiving Pfizer or Moderna, and 2 months after receiving the Johnson&Johnson vaccine.
The Senior Center vaccination clinic is open to residents on Friday 3-7, Sat and Sun 10-5, and Mon. 2-6. No appointment is necessary, and there are no questions asked about immigration status. Vaccines are free, and you do not need to have health insurance to be vaccinated.
We encourage all residents to get vaccinated and all residents eligible for a booster to get the booster shot. COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to keep yourself, your loved ones, and the community safe.
Este es un recordatorio de que la vacuna COVID-19 Pfizer para niños de 5 a 11 años ya está disponible en nuestra clínica del Senior Center. Además, esa clínica tiene vacunas Pfizer, Moderna y Johnson & Johnson disponibles para las vacunas iniciales y las vacunas de refuerzo (boosters) para todas las personas elegibles. A partir de hoy, todos los adultos mayores de 18 años son elegibles para vacunas de refuerzo: 6 meses después de recibir Pfizer o Moderna, y 2 meses después de recibir la vacuna Johnson & Johnson.
La clínica de vacunación del Senior Center está abierta de 3pm a 7 pm los viernes, de 10 am a 5 pm los sábados y domingos y de 2 a 6 pm los lunes. No es necesario tener cita y no se hacen preguntas sobre el estado migratorio. Las vacunas son gratuitas y no es necesario tener seguro médico para vacunarse.
Además, este sábado 20 de noviembre, de 1 a 5 pm, la Ciudad llevará a cabo una clínica especial de vacunas para las edades de 5 a 11 años solamente en el Complejo de Primaria Burke en Crescent Avenue. Habrá actividades y tarjetas de regalo por orden de llegada.
Alentamos a todos los residentes a vacunarse y a todos los residentes elegibles para un refuerzo para recibir la vacuna de refuerzo. Las vacunas COVID-19 son la mejor manera de protegerse.
CLICK HERE for VAX FINDER Enter your Zip Code and press SEARCH to see a list of Vaccine Clinics near you.
CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE site at 176 Somerville Ave. (next to Target in Union Square) in Somerville and many local pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations. No appointment, I.D., or insurance is needed. To find out more about where you can get vaccinated, visit somervillema.gov/vaccine.
CALL 617-724-7000 MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL VACCINE HOTLINE to speak with someone who can tell you where to get a vaccine.
Find BOOSTERS now by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-booster-frequently-asked-questions#eligibility-
FREE COVID TESTING
Biden begins distribution of 1 billion at-home test kits: Go to covidtests.gov to request up to four free rapid antigen test kits. Tests should also be available at local pharmacies and community centers soon. The City is also working to obtain more at-home tests for persons with barriers to access.
CLICK HERE to find a testing site near you. Enter your Zip Code to see a list of COVID testing sites near you.
SOMERVILLE: The City opened a walk-through testing site for Somerville residents and workers at the International Church of the Grace of God in East Somerville (via the parking lot in the rear of the church at 72 Franklin St., across from Glen Park). The site will offer 500 PCR tests per day, three days per week, through mid-February (or longer if needed). No appointment required. Testing is free, regardless of insurance or immigration status. The first hour of each day is Senior+ Hour, reserved for seniors 65 and over, persons with disabilities, or others with barriers to access. The next dates are:
For more dates and times, visit somervillema.gov/covidtesting.
There are two Stop the Spread testing sites in Chelsea. Walk up/drive thru, and no appointments required.
The City of Cambridge offers free COVID-19 PCR testing 4 days per week for those who live or work in Cambridge.
IN OUR WORDS: THE VACCINE
Gladys Vega leads La Colborativa in Chelsea! Gladys Vega es una activista que hace frente en Chelsea, Massachusetts y que haría lo que sea por mantener el bienestar de su comunidad, la cual es mayormente latina.
KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE: DECIDING WHETHER TO VACCINATE
Experts discuss what to consider when making this important decision. How do we protect our kids from COVID?
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MASKING
Read this informative Boston Globe article from August 25, 2021, summarizing what we know about the effects of wearing masks, from toddlers to adults. CLICK HERE.
As of September 4th, ALMOST HALF of our 7th-12th Graders are fully vaccinated against COVID. Together we can prevent and lessen the harm of COVID within our community. By masking well, washing our hands regularly, and role modeling for our kids, family, and colleagues, we can stop the spread and heal together.
Free weekly COVID testing is offered by the school, so please CLICK HERE to give CONSENT for your students to participate. It's easy, and keeps our community safer and healthier!
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER! VACCINES & VARIANTS
Watch this informative forum & town hall featuring Dr. Glenda Glover, Dr. Patrice Harris, Dr. Ala Stanford, Dr. Sharelle Barber, and Dr. Robyn Jones, moderated by Star jones.
Quem Tem Dúvidas Sobre a Vacina Contra COVID 19? Discussion in Portuguese about COVID-19 Vaccine
Many community members are concerned about the COVID-19 vaccines. In this video, Dr. Kris Meisinger (Cambridge Health Alliance physician and professor at Harvard Medical School), Adriana Fernandes (Office of Immigrant Affairs Portuguese Community Liaison), and Liliane Paiva (The Brazilian Times) discuss questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, sharing important information about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. Please share widely!