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For the 2017-2018 season, the CDC recommends use of the flu shot (inactivated influenza vaccine or IIV) or the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV). (Photo courtesy CDC)

Health Alliance Offering Flu Vaccinations

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Public Health Alliance will offer flu vaccination clinics with no out-of-pocket charges around the county over the next month.

People should bring their insurance card(s) with them and wear short sleeves, or a shirt that has easily rolled-up sleeves.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. In 2017, a study in Pediatrics was the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination also significantly reduced a child's risk of dying from influenza. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.

The Berkshire Public Health Alliance (Alliance) is a partnership formed through an inter-municipal agreement (IMA) among the 24 Berkshire municipalities of Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Lanesborough, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, North Adams, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Washington, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, Windsor and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Learn more on the website.

The clinics are as follows:

Monday, Sept. 25, 3:30-6:30 p.m.:
Craneville Elementary School, 71 Park Ave., Dalton

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 9-11:30 a.m.: Egremont Town Hall, 171 Egremont Plain Road, Egremont
    
Monday, Oct. 2, 1-3 p.m.: Cheshire Senior Center/Cheshire Community Center, 119 School St., Cheshire

Monday, Oct. 2, 5-7 p.m.: Windsor Town Hall, 1927 Route 9, Windsor

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Clarksburg Elementary School, 777 West Cross Road, Clarksburg

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: City Hall, 10 Main St., North Adams



Wednesday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Housatonic Community Center (Housydome), 1064 Main St. North, Housatonic

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Great Barrington Town Hall, 334 Main St., Great Barrington

Friday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Dalton Senior Center 40 Field St. Ext., Dalton

Monday, Oct. 16, 5-7 p.m.: Town Hall, 8 Summit Hill Road, Washington

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3:30-6 p.m.: Greylock Elementary School, 100 Phelps Ave., North Adams

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9:30-11 a.m.: Mary Spitzer Senior Center, 116 Ashland St., North Adams

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 3:30-6 p.m.: Drury High School, 1130 Church St., North Adams

Monday, Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m.: Peru Town Hall Community Room, 3 East Main Road, Peru

Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-noon: Berkshire South CHP Coat Drive, 15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington.


Tags: flu,   influenza,   

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Flushing of Pittsfield's Water System to Begin

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities announces that phase 1 of the flushing of the city's water system will begin Monday, April 22.
 
Water mains throughout the city will be flushed, through hydrants, over the upcoming weeks to remove accumulations of pipeline corrosion products. Mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, except holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
 
  • The upcoming flushing for April 22 to May 3 is expected to affect the following areas:
  • Starting at the town line on Dalton Avenue working west through Coltsville including lower Crane Avenue, Meadowview neighborhood, following Cheshire Road north.
  • Hubbard Avenue and Downing Parkway.
  • Starting at the town line on East Street working west through the McIntosh and Parkside neighborhoods.
  • Elm Street neighborhoods west to the intersection of East Street.
  • Starting at the town line on Williams Street, working west including Mountain Drive,
  • Ann Drive, East New Lenox Road, and Holmes Road neighborhoods.
Although flushing may cause localized discolored water and reduced service pressure conditions in and around the immediate area of flushing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that proper levels of treatment and disinfections are maintained in the system at all times. If residents experience discolored water, they should let the water run for a short period to clear it prior to use.
 
If discolored water or low-pressure conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.
 
Flushing is an important operating procedure that contributes significantly to the maintenance of the water quality in the water distribution system. 
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