BHS Offering Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With COVID-19 still impacting the region, Berkshire Health Systems is expanding its vaccination program with special vaccine clinics, specifically for children. 
 
These pediatric clinics will provide COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 and will be held the first Saturday of each month, beginning March 5 at the BHS Vaccine Center, 505 East Street in Pittsfield, from 8am to noon. 
 
Each child being vaccinated must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
 
Appointments are required and can be made by calling the BHS COVID-19 Hotline, 855-BMC-LINK, or 855-262-5465 or by booking an appointment online through the child's Berkshire Patient Portal account. If there are any questions about setting up a Patient Portal account for a child, call 413-447-2505 or email berkshireportal@bhs1.org.
 
BHS recognizes that vaccination can be anxiety-inducing, particularly for children and has specifically designed these clinics with children and their well-being in mind. BHS will not be offering adult doses during these clinic hours. The pediatric clinics will be staffed by skilled and knowledgeable pediatric nurses and emergency personnel will be standing by to offer support, if needed.
 
According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control, there have been nearly 2 million cases of COVID-19 within the 5 to 11-year-old age group during the pandemic. COVID-19 can make children very sick and cause children to be hospitalized. In some situations, the complications from infection can lead to death. Children are as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults and can get very sick from COVID-19. In addition, they can have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19 and can spread the virus to others at home and school.
 
As of mid-October 2021, children ages 5 through 11 years have experienced more than 8,300 COVID-19 related hospitalizations and nearly 100 deaths from COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 ranks as one of the top 10 causes of death for children ages 5 through 11 years.

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   COVID-19,   vaccinations,   


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Pittsfield Council OKs Privacy Measure, Sees Bridge Update

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The state plans to remove some of crumbling concrete on the Dalton Avenue bridge and wrap its repairs into a project with the rail trail. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is taking steps to protect its own privacy, as well as public comment speakers' privacy. 

On Tuesday, councilors voted to remove their home addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. It was brought forward by Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham. 

"This is an easy proposal to support," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said. 

While this doesn't completely block their addresses from public view, as they are listed elsewhere as residents, it makes them a little harder to access. 

Moody pointed out that a Virginia city councilor was set on fire last year by a member of the public. NBC News reported that the attack stemmed from a personal matter. 

"I don't think anybody worries about me being able to defend myself, but I do have children, and I worry for them," Moody explained. 

Warren pointed out that they have done the same for those who speak at public comment. When he was first elected into office years ago, people picketed at his home for his stance on a School Committee issue. 

"Back then, it wasn't that big a deal. Now we find ourselves in very divisive times," Warren said. 

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