WESTFIELD — Registration is open for a vaccination clinic at the Westfield Senior Center. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, and Thursday, Oct. 3, members of the public, especially those over 60, are invited to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
“We’re trying to keep seniors safe,” said Westfield Senior Center Executive Director Michael Squindo.
The clinic is a collaboration between the Council on Aging and the Stop & Shop Pharmacy at 57 Main St.. While clinics are normally hosted with the city Board of Health, Squindo said the Senior Center reached out to Stop & Shop a few years ago and it went smoothly. It saves the city the cost of the vaccines.
In August, the federal Food and Drug Administration approved three COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax, all of which aim to tackle currently circulating variants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that between Aug. 18 and Aug. 31, the KP.3.1.1 variant accounted for 37.7% to 46.9% of cases.
In Westfield, the week of Sept. 1, there were 15 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, said Public Health Director Debra Mulvenna. That’s a decrease from the 2024 summer surge, which peaked at 27 cases in mid-August.
She referred to state Department of Health data about influenza, which shows the severity of the disease was “low” the week of Sept. 1.
Mulvenna said older adults should get flu and COVID-19 vaccines to prevent hospitalization and complications from the diseases. Seniors are especially susceptible because their immune systems are weaker, she said. The same goes for those with pre-existing conditions, like diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
“We’re going into the season where we’re going to see higher community spread of COVID and flu, so we want to be able to provide people who may have a higher risk of hospitalization or complications, based on age and medical conditions, the opportunity to protect themselves,” she said.
Squindo noted that getting vaccinated prevents the vaccinated and others from getting sick.
“You’re protecting yourself. You’re also helping to prevent the spread of it to others,” he said.
Mulvenna said flu and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. While they can cause “adverse reactions” like soreness, redness, swelling and malaise, she said the risks of the disease outweigh the risks of the vaccines.
“We wouldn’t want people to get vaccinated if there were more of a chance to get an adverse reaction from the vaccine than they would from getting the disease,” she said.
Those concerned about the risks of vaccines should reach out to their health care provider, she said.
To register for the October clinic, call 413-562-6435 or visit the Senior Center in person at 45 Noble St., Westfield. Patients will have to visit in person to fill out paperwork and provide their insurance information. Wellness Nurse Evelyn Bristol will reach out by phone to schedule an appointment.
Asked if uninsured people will be seen at the clinic, Squindo and Special Projects Coordinator Tina Gorman referred to the pharmacist at the Stop & Shop, who was unavailable to speak in time for The Pennysaver’s deadline. They also said the pharmacist would know what types of flu and COVID-19 vaccines would be offered.
In the meantime, vaccines are available at local pharmacies, said Mulvenna.
“Just make sure your insurance covers it,” she said.
She recommended adults, especially pregnant adults, get a whooping cough booster, too, as the disease is spiking in Greater Westfield.
