On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shots for individuals 12 to 15 years old. The FDA and CDC also shortened the time between completion of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose to at least 5 months and allowed a third primary series does for certain immunocompromised children 5-11. You can read the FDA's announcement here and the CDC's announcement here.
COVID-19 Testing:
As the number of new positive COVID-19 cases in Connecticut rise, it's important to get tested for COVID-19 if you are feeling sick or have been exposed to the virus. This will help limit community spread of the virus. You may have experienced or seen the news of the latest high demand for tests. Our community received tests this week for our social services clients, first responders, schools, and child care centers. West Hartford also received a certain number of tests for the general public but the supply was quickly depleted. I will keep you updated on when the town receives its next shipment. Across the state, about 1 million COVID-19 self-tests have been distributed to cities, towns, schools, childcare facilities, faith-based groups, and vulnerable populations across CT.
In addition to self-tests, there are walk-up test sites around our region.
There is a state-sponsored test location at 1161 Albany Ave in Hartford. Its hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday: 11AM - 2PM
- Tuesday: 11AM -7PM
- Wednesday: 11AM - 2PM
- Thursday: 11AM - 7PM
- Friday: 11AM - 2PM
- Saturday: 11AM - 4PM
Here is a link to every non-appointment site through the end of the year. For additional test sites, visit 211ct.org.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Being fully vaccinated continues to be the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District is offering booster shots and additional doses for adults age 18+ by appointment every Wednesday and Thursday at the Health District office, 580 Cottage Grove Road. Call 860-561-7900 to schedule yours.
A pediatric walk-in clinic is scheduled for children 5 to 11 on January 5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carmen Arace Intermediate School, 390 Park Ave, Bloomfield.
For additional clinic dates and vaccine sites, visit the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District website here.
For additional resources and information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Connecticut's Vaccine Portal here. |