New Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Available

Print Story | Email Story
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.

Tags: COVID-19,   


More Coronavirus Updates

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 news:


If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories