Message From Weston Board of Health

Weston MA

26 January, 2021

6:38 AM

Description

Press release from the Town of Weston: January 25, 2021 Weston's Board of Health will be setting up vaccination clinics in the coming weeks, following the state's schedule. If you wish to be notified of the vaccine's availability, please sign up on this registration website. A member of Weston's COVID-19 Response Team will reach out to you at the appropriate time so you can then sign up for a clinic in Weston. Refer to the state's phasing and prioritization schedule below for timing details. In Massachusetts, the COVID-19 Vaccine schedule is determined by the Department of Public Health (DPH) in conjunction with CDC guidelines and the Governor's office. Weston has partnered with the DPH to provide vaccine to our residents ASAP. Either register to receive notification of the Weston clinics or watch for Public Safety or Latest Town news for clinic announcements. The Board of Health is currently working on Phase 1 and intends to begin Phase 2 in early February. The Board will schedule and hold clinics each week using all available vaccines provided by the DPH according to individuals in the highest registered priority group to be served. Please note, the vaccine is for individuals over 18. At this time, Weston does not have any vaccine that is approved for children under 18. Vaccine Prioritization and Phasing Schedule Phase 1 (December 2020 – February 2021) Approved vaccines start to go to five priority groups (listed in order of priority): Clinical and non-clinical health care workers doing direct and COVID-facing careLong-term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilitiesPolice, fire and emergency medical servicesCongregate care settings (including corrections and shelters)Home-based health care workersHealth care workers doing non-COVID-facing carePhase 2 (February – March 2021) Listed in order of priority:Individuals with 2+ comorbidities (high risk for COVID-19 complications), individuals 75+, and residents and staff of public and private low income and affordable senior housingEarly education, K-12, transit, grocery, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works and public health workers Adults 65+Individuals with one co-morbid conditionPhase 3 (April 2021) The vaccine is expected to be available to the general public, including:Higher education workers, including administrators, teaching and non-teaching staffBottled beverage industry workersVeterinarians Vaccine Frequently Asked Question DPH has a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the phasing, administration, and follow-up precautions of the vaccine, including: Who administers the vaccineWhat are the potential side effectsWhat can be expected after the vaccine has been administered to phase three recipients If you are an individual at high risk for COVD-19 complications, be sure to reach out to your personal physician or healthcare provider for more information. News Announcements: Stay Informed There is understandably a lot of questions and anxiety associated with the virus and the administration of the vaccine. If you have not done so already, be sure to subscribe to Public Safety News or Latest Town News email/text notifications at WestonMA.gov/StayInformed (don't forget to confirm your email/phone number). https://www.mass.gov/info-deta... of COVID-19 vaccine locations with contact details and sign-up information for individuals currently eligible to be vaccinated. Sites will be added in the coming weeks and appointments will be released on a rolling basis. Individuals will need to provide proof of their eligibility at the site. All sites require appointments. COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report for Weston Count and Rate Confirmed and Tests Performed 1/1/2020 - 1/21/2021. The increase in case counts in Weston is directly associated with holiday travel and social gatherings. Questions can be directed to the Weston Public Health Department: 781-786-5030 or [email protected] Complete state-wide information can be found on the state's website COVID-19 Testing in Weston Weston's Fire Department is hosting weekday coronavirus testing for Weston residents. Registration is required. See the registration website for additional information. Weston Public Schools has developed a testing program for faculty/staff/students that will be expanded to families. Additional information is available on the Weston Public Schools website. Duties and Responsibilities The Board of Health is responsible for: the promotion and protection of public health through:educationenforcement of environmental, public, medical and mental health lawsregulations providing enforcement of the State Sanitary Code in the areas of:housingfood sales and servicepoolscamps the surveillance and reporting of communicable diseasethe State Environmental Code for: wellsseptic systemslead and asbestos abatementground water protection This press release was produced by the Town of Weston. The views expressed here are the author's own.