Here is the COVID-19 update for Wednesday, May 11, followed by other city news and events. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Sign up for City newsletter: If you have found these COVID-19 updates useful and enjoy getting important local information, we encourage you to sign up for our City newsletters, which we will restart soon. They are chock full of news about upcoming events and meetings, as well as what is happening inside City government. We’ll still use this system to send out important alerts and updates, but most updates will be moved to the newsletter. Sign up today.

VACCINE UPDATES:

• Somervillians are getting vaccinated: 71.2% of the city’s residents (54,161 people) are fully or partially vaccinated. The vaccination rate among women is 73.7%, while it’s 68.6% for men. By age group: 20-29 (75.9%), 30-49 (85.6%), 50-64 (79%), 65-74 (85.7%), 75+ (84.6%). We hope to keep the momentum going. The CDC has even put together helpful tips on how to talk to people who are hesitant to get the vaccine.

• Walk-in vaccinations available at multiple locations: You now can get a COVID-19 vaccination without having to pre-register or make an appointment. There are walk-in vaccination sites all around Somerville, and just outside it as well. Cambridge Health Alliance vaccine clinics have larger supplies of doses and can vaccinate kids ages 12-17. You DO NOT need to be a CHA patient to use these clinics. They are free and open to all. Local CVS pharmacies and the Stop & Shop on McGrath Hwy are also offering walk-in vaccines. Local Walgreens pharmacies require a brief pre-registration, but can process people quickly if they have open slots and you walk in. Here are the CHA walk-in sites:
  • CHA Somerville Vaccine Center at 176 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, Mon.- Thurs. 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Tufts University Gantcher Center at 161 College Ave. in Medford, Wed-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Encore Boston Harbor at 1 Broadway Center in Everett, Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Parental/Guardian consent required for children age 12-17: Individuals younger than 18 will need parental or guardian consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A parent or guardian can either accompany a minor age 16 or 17 to their vaccine appointment, or fill out a consent form that the minor can then bring with them to the appointment. Consent forms in multiple languages are available at the State’s website. Parents MUST accompany children ages 12-15 to their vaccine appointments.

• Mobile vaccine clinics start next week: The first clinic will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 3 at the Somerville Housing Authority site at 530 Mystic Ave. This is a walk-in clinic, but if you would like to pre-register a link will be posted later in the week at somervillema.gov/vaccine. The vaccines are free, no ID or health insurance is required, and vaccines are available to everyone age 12+ regardless of immigration status. Many more mobile clinic sites will follow. Sign up for vaccine clinic alerts at:
  • English: tinyurl.com/VaccineAlerts
  • Spanish: tinyurl.com/AlertasVacuna
  • Portuguese: tinyurl.com/AlertasVacina
  • Haitian Creole: tinyurl.com/AletVaksen
  • Nepali: tinyurl.com/AlertsNepali

• Make sure to get your second dose: Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to provide maximum protection against the COVID-19 virus. The Pfizer vaccine requires a three-week interval between shots while the Moderna vaccine requires a four-week interval. It is quite common for vaccines to require more than one dose to convey maximum effectiveness. Not everyone gets the same level of immunity from their first dose and the second dose conveys a significantly increased degree of protection. Learn more.

GENERAL COVID UPDATES

• Somerville COVID-19 Case Counts: As of May 25, a total of 5,744 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 2020 (39 the past two weeks), and sadly there have been 86 deaths (though none in the past two weeks). See the latest Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard.

• Somerville joins State reopening and masking guidelines on May 29: On Saturday face covering requirements will be largely lifted throughout Massachusetts. State guidelines will still require face coverings to be worn on public transit, in rideshares and taxis, in healthcare facilities, schools and childcare programs, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Individual businesses may also still require masks to enter their premises, so bring a mask with you when you go out. Anyone who is unvaccinated is also advised to continue to mask up. Somerville will also join with the State in lifting remaining COVID-19 business and activity restrictions on May 29. Find out more about the State’s reopening plans here.

• Help support your neighbors through the Somerville Cares Fund: If you’re lucky enough to have some extra money, please consider a donation to the Somerville Cares Fund. This donation-based fund provides direct assistance to Somerville residents, workers, and parents of school children so that they can cover basic expenses like housing, food, and utility bills. If you’re unable to donate you can still help by sharing information about the Somerville Cares Fund with your friends and family.

• Emergency Broadband Benefits: The FCC is offering up to $50 a month to help people get Internet connectivity. Another $100 toward the purchase of a computer or tablet is also available. These funds may remain in place for six months after the federal government has declared an end to the COVID-19 state of emergency. Check your eligibility and apply at getemergencybroadband.org. Interested parties also may apply through their broadband supplier (e.g., Comcast or RCN).

• Free COVID-19 testing: CHA Somerville Hospital offers free testing at Assembly Row. To make an appointment, call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). More testing information can be found at somervillema.gov/covidtesting. The State’s Stop the Spread testing sites are also an option, including in the nearby communities of Chelsea and Everett. For more information, visit the State’s website.

OTHER CITY NEWS, EVENTS, & JOB OPENINGS

• Sign up for household hazardous waste collection
• Applications sought for Commissions on Energy Use and Climate Change
• Elections Department launches appointment system for municipal candidates
• Somerville Memorial Day ceremony, 5/31
• SomerStreets returns with Carnaval celebration in E. Somerville, 6/5-6
• West Branch Library opens for curbside service, 6/1
• Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan virtual meeting, 6/2
• Section 8 housing voucher search workshop, 6/3
• Free two-day virtual training on trauma support, 6/4 and 6/11
• See City Job openings here: somervillema.gov/jobs

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.

— City of Somerville