BOSTON – Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu urged Boston families to take their children to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at a visit to the family vaccination clinic at Prince Hall Grand Lodge, a partnership between the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center. Mayor Wu was joined by her 6-year-old son, Blaise, who received his first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine.
“The vaccine is the most important tool we have to keep schools open and keep everyone safe in our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Now that children ages five and older are eligible for the vaccine, even more families have the chance to do our part to end this pandemic. As we head into the winter months and the holiday season, let’s all move quickly to get our kids vaccinated and get our boosters so everyone can enjoy the holidays.”
On November 2, 2021, the Pfizer COVID-19 childhood vaccine was authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use for children ages 5-11.
“We have noted a recent increase in COVID-19 cases community-wide. Though very rare, COVID-19 in children can result in severe complications, including hospitalization and death. Research has shown that vaccination in kids is more than 90% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “As a doctor and a mother of a 5 year-old who has received her first dose of vaccine, I strongly encourage parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated.”
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is supporting seven family vaccination clinics across the City, including this site at Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Dorchester. The other sites are: Immigrant Family Services Institute in Mattapan; Gallivan Community Center in Mattapan; Morningstar Baptist Church in Mattapan; Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center in Roslindale; Hyde Park YMCA in Hyde Park; and Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester. These family vaccination clinics offer pediatric vaccines as well as boosters for adults.
BPHC is also working with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and healthcare providers to ensure that the vaccine is accessible to all of Boston’s children, including at school-based vaccination clinics. For dates and times of school vaccine clinics, visit here.
Currently, 14% of children ages 5-11 in Boston have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, since approval on November 2. Nearly 67% of Boston residents overall are fully vaccinated. The City continues to see disparities by neighborhood and race, and is supporting community-based organizations across our neighborhoods to close gaps
In addition, everyone aged 18 or older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or Johnson & Johnson at least two months ago, is eligible to get any booster. The vaccine is safe, free, and effective. You do not need insurance or to show identification in order to get the vaccine.
To learn more about where you and your children can receive a vaccine, visit Boston.gov to view a list of vaccination sites. You can also call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050.
