Covid-19 vaccinations will soon be available to residents eligible under the second phase of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, according to the Bedford Health and Human Services Department.
This means eligible residents could receive vaccinations as early as February, with the highest priority going to high-risk individuals and those at least age 75.
According to the department’s announcement, town-sponsored vaccination clinics are in their final stages of planning and are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.
“We are prepared to offer clinics two days a week and have the minimum capacity for distribution of 600 doses per week,” said Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services. She said the number of vaccinations available is “100 percent dependent on vaccine availability from the state” and that the town has no direct connection to vaccine manufacturers.
The town’s usual flu clinic location at John Glenn Middle School will be used as the site for one vaccination clinic. Porter said that vaccines will only be distributed at the middle school on Wednesdays and Saturdays, because in-person learning does not take place those days.
No other vaccination sites have been confirmed at this time according to Porter, but “smaller clinics may be held in other, non-school, town locations to be determined.” She added that the middle school will be the only school building used as a vaccination site.
Vaccines cannot be administered without an appointment, made either online or by phone. The registration process will include a series of pre-vaccination screening questions. Details will be included in upcoming outreach materials.
The town agency will not have access to the vaccine until the Massachusetts Department of Public Health releases it. The product is expected to be the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, which comes in a two-dose series, spaced one month apart. The vaccine is available to those 18 years of age and older and is injected into the muscle like a flu shot.
After receiving the first dose, residents will be monitored in a physically distanced waiting area for 15 minutes and receive a vaccination card that must be brought when returning for the second dose. The health department said subsequent vaccination dates will be announced following distribution of the first dose.
“The most important part is ensuring [that residents] wait for observation after receiving their vaccination and ensure they go back for the second dose at least three to four weeks later,” Porter said.
Currently, Massachusetts is still in the first phase of the vaccine distribution plan, which covers mainly healthcare workers and first responders. Phase Two is set to take place from February to April and will allow high-risk individuals, essential workers, and those 65 years of age and older to receive the vaccine. Phase Three, for everybody else, is set to take place from April to June.
Although the town will soon be offering vaccination clinics, Porter encouraged residents to “pursue the vaccination option that works for them,” which can include a participating pharmacy or primary care provider.
“Receiving the Covid vaccine helps our community gain herd immunity, which is an important part of the equation that will help our community get to the other side of the pandemic,” Porter said.
She reminded residents that the vaccine has been “vetted and tested,” as well as distributed to many healthcare workers with “few reported serious side effects.”
Before receiving the vaccine, residents should inform their vaccinator about any medical conditions they may have. The Moderna vaccination should not be given to anyone who has had previous allergic reactions to the vaccine’s ingredients or had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of the vaccine. Those unsure if they should receive the vaccine are urged to contact their primary care provider first. The ingredients of the Moderna vaccination can be located here.
Residents can stay up to date on the latest information regarding clinics and vaccination dates by checking the town and health department websites and social media, as well as local online and print sources.
Click this link to find a location to get vaccinated
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