Massachusetts public health officials urge residents to get vaccinated ahead of the holiday season

As the weather gets colder and with holidays just around the corner, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Cambridge Public Health Department urge residents to get vaccinated.

“With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, now is a great time for those preparing to celebrate with friends and loved ones to get vaccinated for flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if eligible. Getting vaccinated now will maximize protection against these respiratory viruses,” said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD. “We want Massachusetts residents to have a safe, healthy, and fun holiday season and part of that is getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you.”

“Adding vaccinations to your holiday season to-do list is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and people you’ll gather with, especially older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant people, who are at higher risk for severe complications,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. 

Everyone 6 months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Both vaccines can take up to two weeks to take full effect to protect against infection, serious illness and hospitalization, and reduce the chances of suffering the effects of Long COVID. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is effective against current variants and widely available for little or no cost to Massachusetts residents. 

Vaccine location information is available at mass.gov/CovidVaccine. Residents who cannot get to a vaccination location can schedule an appointment for in-home COVID-19 and flu vaccination by going to mass.gov/VaccinesAtHome or calling 833-983-0485.

You can learn more about the vaccines and where to get them at DPH’s website.