Brookline Plans Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline community members still seeking a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine this winter have a handful of chances to get one in town, officials announced last week.

Brookline is offering two upcoming vaccine clinics next month just as officials note a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and an early increase in flu prevalence and severity.

“Getting vaccinated is always the best way to prevent flu and COVID-19 and their potentially serious complications, and we encourage all community members to attend our free clinics,” town Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss said in a statement.

Brookline held recent clinics last week. New flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics are set for Jan. 9 and Jan. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Baker School at 205 Beverly Rd.

Residents will be able to register online for upcoming clinics via links to be added in the coming weeks to a town webpage.

Residents receiving a vaccine should bring all insurance and Medicare cards with them, as well as a form of ID. Vaccine recipients should also wear a short-sleeved or loose-fitting shirt, officials said.

Town officials last week cited the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in noting an early increase in flu activity this winter.

State tracking data, meanwhile, has documented an uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, with the statewide seven-day average number of new daily infections rising from 637.3 on Nov. 21 to 1,036.9 on Dec. 20.

Brookline recorded 1,274 total cases between Nov. 13 and Nov. 26, according to state records. That number was up to 1,415 for days between Dec. 4 and Dec. 17.

Beyond vaccines, Brookline officials recently noted various tips to help residents stay healthy, ranging from reminders to wash hands to a recommendation that individuals stay away from others if they are experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms.