CHP Readying for New Covid-19 Vaccine Supply

03:35PM / Wednesday, September 27, 2023Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — With a second mobile medical van now on the road, CHP Berkshires' mobile health teams are preparing to reach more Berkshire residents in more locations this fall with vaccines for flu, Covid-19 and, for eligible patients, the respiratory virus (RSV) vaccine.

CHP anticipates receiving its Covid-19 vaccines in the coming weeks, while flu clinics are well under way.

"We are fielding many calls and inquiries about the new Covid-19 vaccine, and we are as eager as everyone to get this new vaccine on the road," said Melanie Wickwire, mobile health manager at CHP.

Once available, Covid-19 vaccines will be available to CHP and non-CHP patients on the CHP mobile health vehicles. This can be given at the same time as the seasonal flu shot. In addition, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines is available to eligible CHP patients.

Covid-19 vaccines will be available for those six months and older. The new RSV vaccine is for adults 60 and older with certain underlying health risks; pre-screening is required for RSV vaccines with CHP. Flu shots are available starting at 6 months of age.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have this arsenal of prevention against serious illness," said Dr. Laura Need, CHP associate medical director and pediatrician at Berkshire Pediatrics. "We urge everyone to get vaccinated for themselves, their families, friends and workplace colleagues. And parents should be sure their children are protected against other preventable contagious illness like measles, pertussis and others."

CHP will keep the public notified of its vaccination resources throughout the fall and winter season, through its mobile health calendar at chpberkshires.org/mobile and with reminders on social media channels, radio and other outlets.

"We are extremely excited that we now have a second mobile health vehicle to help reach more people in more places in the Berkshires," said Michelle Derr, CHP's senior vice president of family services and mobile health. "People can walk up or call us to make an appointment. We are also here for anyone who needs a minor sick visit or other health-related support, whether or not they are a CHP patient."

Tags: CHP, COVID-19, vaccinations,

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Free Pet Food Drive-Thru in Becket

10:43AM / Friday, February 06, 2026

BECKET, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society will give out bags of cat and dog food to pet owners in need during a drive-thru event this Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at the Becket Washington School Parking Lot, 12 Maple Street in Becket.

The drive-thru is in conjunction with the Becket Food Pantry.

Cat and dog owners can drive up to the distribution point and remain in their vehicle while someone takes their order and loads it into their vehicle. Cat owners will get a 6-pound bag of food and dog owners will get a 20-pound bag, no questions asked. The event is open to all, regardless of enrollment in Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank or participation in the Becket Food Pantry and is made possible by donations from Wendy and James Martin of the Martin Family Donor Advised Fund, the Eichenbaum/Archer Family Foundation and an anonymous private foundation.

"We gave out nearly 7,200 pounds of pet food in our holiday drive-thrus in Great Barrington, North Adams and Pittsfield," said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's Executive Director. "People not only drove, but walked up to those events. I can't tell you how many of them told us how thankful they were for help feeding their cats or dogs," he said. "With the cold weather lately, we don't want people choosing between staying warm and feeding themselves or their cats their pets. With this event, we're hoping to reach more folks in the hilltowns. Thanks to our generous donors, we have more than 7,500 pounds of pet food to do just that! Thank you to the Becket Food Pantry for making the event possible."

Berkshire Humane Society's Food Pantry events are part of the nonprofit's efforts to keep families together and prevent people from feeling they must surrender their pet to the shelter. Other programs include the shelter's monthly Pet Food Bank, to which drive-thru recipients may enroll; low-cost spay and neuter and other veterinary services at the Society's Wellness Clinic; and dog obedience classes at Family Dog School.

Berkshire Humane Society also accepts donations to provide pet food for more families in need. Monetary donations are preferred because the shelter has agreements with pet food companies to buy nutritious food at a bulk rate, feeding more animals per donor dollar. For more information about the drive-thru event or making a donation, call 413-447-7878, extension 127.

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