Special to the Times-Free Press
Boston Public Schools (BPS) and CIC Health last week hosted a Covid-19 and flu vaccination clinic at the Samuel Adams Elementary School in East Boston. The clinic was one of 100 vaccination events the BPS and CIC Health will host, in collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission, to combat COVID-19 and the flu. BPS students and their siblings, one caregiver, and staff were eligible to receive both vaccines, and those who received a COVID-19 vaccination or booster where offered a $25 gift card, while supplies lasted.
“Our main priority is keeping our students and staff safe and healthy,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We are encouraging all students, families, and staff members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. As COVID-19 and the flu continue to spread, vaccines are crucial to the health and well-being of our community and are the best way to protect against the most-harmful effects of the viruses. I would like to thank CIC Health and all of our other partners for working with us to reach as many people as we possibly can.”
“Vaccines are crucial in our ongoing efforts to keep our school communities safe from COVID-19 and the flu,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. “With the help of our partners across Boston and the Commonwealth, we are working to make sure that all of our students are in a healthy and safe learning environment. Community partners like CIC Health are incredibly important to BPS, and I cannot thank them enough for their continued support, as we work to give every person in the BPS community the opportunity to get vaccinated.”
As we enter the holiday season, and the region prepares for increases in both COVID-19 and the flu, demand for vaccines and boosters continues to rise. BPS and CIC Health have partnered to set up vaccination clinics throughout Boston’s public schools to keep students, families, and staff members safe leading into the winter.
“Our partnership with BPS to coordinate vaccination clinics across Boston public schools is an important initiative to control the spread of Covid-19 and the flu as we head into the colder months,” said CIC Health President Rachel Wilson. “Our priority is to create plenty of opportunities for community members to receive their vaccinations in a safe and efficient way while ensuring accessibility is not a barrier. We don’t require an ID, appointment, or insurance – our goal is to get as many individuals vaccinated so we can keep our communities safe and healthy.”
All Covid-19 vaccines and manufacturers – including bivalent (omicron) boosters, as well as flu vaccinations – including a high dose vaccine for individuals 65 and older, were available at the Samuel Adams Elementary School clinic.
The clinic was held over the course of four hours. BPS contracted CIC Health and Cataldo Ambulance to support the preparation and administration of free Covid-19 and flu vaccines.
“We continue to prioritize vaccine accessibility and equity in our COVID-19 response, which is why clinics like today’s are so important,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “The vaccination rate for school-age children is still low, and with the holiday season upon us, we must do everything we can to keep our students safe from the risk of severe illness. The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are safe and effective across all age groups, and I strongly encourage all BPS families to make sure their children are up to date on their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.”
“My job, as the school leader, is to ensure that our students and staff are safe and healthy,” said Samuel Adams Elementary School Leader Joanna McKeigue Cruz. “Like all across the world, COVID-19 deeply affected our school community. CIC and BPS are invaluable in our work to keep COVID and the flu out of our community and keep everyone safe. It is essential that we all come together and work collectively to keep our families and staff safe from COVID-19 and the flu. So, thank you to everyone who got their vaccine and if you have not done so yet, please get yours today.”
For more information on the BPS COVID-19 policies, best practices, and how to get vaccinated, please visit vaccine.bostonpublicschools.org for more information.