SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the distribution of a newly released FDA-approved vaccine is bringing hope to residents of Springfield. 22News has a closer look at this updated vaccine, and how the city is trying to slow the spread.
“Good for them and also for myself because they won’t pass it onto me and I won’t pass it onto them,” said Helen Walter of Springfield.
To help mitigate the spread of covid-19 as we head into a new season, the Bay Area Neighborhood Resource Center in Springfield had the opportunity to receive a free mRNA vaccine.
“I have breathing problems and they say with Covid it affects your breathing, So I think it’s wonderful, and we don’t even have to come that far, I only live a couple of streets over,” added Walter.
The updated COVID-19 vaccine has been released at a crucial time as the number of cases continues to rise in Massachusetts and across the country. In just the past week, there were over 2,000 confirmed cases and 13 deaths in the state. The reason for the spike was due to the omicron strains called FLiRT.
“It’s so contagious and it can go airborne very quickly so you had Father’s day, the fourth of July, family reunions, cruises, and people flying on planes,” said State Representative Bud Williams.
Covid infections are expected to reach the highest between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, peaking around Christmas. “We are very concerned for those, especially for those 65 and older and in underlying conditions,” added Williams.
Experts say with these new updated vaccines you’ll be able to protect yourself from any newly recent circulating variants, preventing yourself from serious illness and hospitalization.
“Usually with each vaccine it is covering different variants going through the air from last year up until this year,” said Nurse, Springfield Pharmacy, Ashley Perez.
She adds if you do feel sick take the following precautions, “please stay home, put a mask on, call your PCP office, try to get any free COVID test at hand,” added Perez.
Vaccine clinics will continue every Friday At the Bay Area Neighborhood Resource Center. The city will also start giving out free vaccines on October 1st, in multiple locations including the Raymond Jordan Senior Center.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Local News
