PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems will begin providing the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine in September and October. 

 

The latest vaccine to combat COVID-19 is designed to provide protection from the BA.4 and BA.5 variants that currently make up the vast majority of novel coronavirus cases in the United States.

 

The bivalent vaccine will be offered at the BHS Testing & Vaccine Centers in Pittsfield and North Adams, and at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, as follows:

 

• Pittsfield Testing & Vaccine Center, 505 East St., St. Luke's Square: starting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and continuing each week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

• North Adams Testing & Vaccine Center, 98 Church St., next to the city library: starting on Friday, Sept. 16, and continuing on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

 

• Fairview Hospital, 29 Lewis Ave., Great Barrington: starting on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The three locations will offer both Pfizer and Moderna versions of the bivalent vaccine, with Pfizer available for those 12 years of age and older, and Moderna for those 18 and older. In order to receive the bivalent vaccine, you must have previously received the two primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. For those who have also received COVID-19 boosters, you must be at least two months beyond your latest booster vaccine.

 

Appointments are required to receive the bivalent vaccine and can be made by using the Berkshire Patient Portal or calling the BHS COVID-19 Hotline, 855-BMC-LINK, or 855-262-5465, which operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.