Health Department Running Flu Shot Clinic for Residents 18+

The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Watertown Health Department will be offering influenza vaccine to Watertown Residents (age 18+) on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. Please register for your appointment and secure your dose. The clinic is open to everyone with or without insurance. Please bring your health insurance card(s) with you (if you have insurance).

Health Department Running Two COVID Vaccine Booster Clinics

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Health Department will be hosting an Adult Moderna Booster Clinic on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. & August 9, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library on the 1st floor in the Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472. Register for July 19, 2022 clinic

Register for August 9, 2022 clinic

CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Some people should receive two boosters. You can mix and match vaccines. Your booster does not need to be the same vaccine brand as your original COVID-19 vaccination.

LETTER: Resident Concerned About Loss of Staff From Health Department

(The following was first presented to the City Council during the Public Forum at the July 12, 2022 Council Meeting)

I am speaking to you about my concern over the long-standing problems within our Health Department. My information is from my attendance at Board of Health meetings, a review of minutes of public meetings, and my communications with members of the community and City staff. I read a statement at the January Board of Health meeting detailing my concerns, and what I described has since grown worse. In essence I asked the BOH to look beyond the Department Head reports and examine the reasons so many talented people are leaving our city vulnerable during what was such a critical time. I am appealing to the City Council to exercise their charter-mandated oversight responsibility and hold an Executive Session to address the situation. 

My key concerns within the Health Department are:

• An alarming attrition rate: around 8 employees in the last 3 years.

Physician Wanted to Serve on Watertown Board of Health

Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is seeking a Physician to be a member on the Board of Health for a term expiring February 2023. Board of Health members develop policy, rules and regulations that guides the Public Health of our community in Watertown. State law requires that at least one member of the Board is a Physician. The Board of Health provides for fulfillment of its duties under M.G.L. 111:5, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations. The Board of Health determines the health needs of the community (and the health services available to the community) in terms of the size and characteristics of the population, specific health problems, and environmental conditions.

Mosquito With West Nile Virus Found in Watertown, See Tips for Avoid Bites

The Watertown Department of Health sent out the following announcement:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Watertown, Massachusetts. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors.

Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Residents Age 75+ Planned, CVS Has Appointments

The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown Health Department – COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Seniors age 75 and older. The Watertown Health Department has been allotted 100 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the Department of Public Health, per State requirements. A clinic will be held for Watertownresidents 75 and older ONLY on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 9am-11:30am, Community Room, Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street. An appointment is required to get a vaccine. To register and for more information, go to:https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/private_registration/97f13e6e-e981-442a-916f-1f96c0a2c8c4

Watertown Seniors requiring assistance with registering for this clinic can call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490.

Health Department Getting More Vaccine, Free COVID-19 Testing Continues

Town officials gave a big “shout out” to the members of the Watertown Health Department for all the work they have done during the pandemic, including the recent free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. This week, the first members of the general public, age 75 and older, got the vaccine from the Health Department, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll said more vaccinations will be done next week. The Town will also continue to offer free COVID-19 testing through the end of February. Town Council President Mark Sideris took time during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting to thank the Health Department. “I wanted to give a shout out to our Health Department, which has gone above and beyond for just about a year to make this community as safe as possible during the pandemic,” Sideris said.

Town: People 75 & Up Can Register for Vaccine Online, Expect Wait to Get Appointment

The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The State has opened up scheduling today for COVID vaccinations for seniors over the age of 75 at various sites across the Commonwealth. Registration is done online and at this time, there is a high volume of registrants and many sites are experiencing little or no availability of appointments. We encourage you to keep trying to access an appointment, as more sites will open up in the weeks ahead. Families, please provide computer assistance for your elderly family members or, if you do not have access to a computer, you can contact the Watertown Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for assistance, but they have the same access as everyone else. Please be patient.