City clinics seek to combat ‘reckless’ federal guidance
The city of Boston launched free vaccine clinics at locations around the city today as part of a stepped-up effort to combat misinformation and confusion caused by federal health officials.
The campaign is also a response to the closure of several pharmacies in Boston neighborhoods in recent years.
Today, from 3 to 8 p.m., residents can get vaccines at the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) in Mattapan Square. Additional locations, including BCYF Mattahunt in Mattapan and BCYF Perkins in Dorchester, will host clinics through December ahead of the peak respiratory season, which typically spans from December through February.
A full list of times and locations is available here.
“This year’s clinics are particularly important because the federal government has undermined confidence in vaccination by sharing confusing and inaccurate information about vaccines,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the city’s Commissioner of Public Health during a press briefing this morning.
Boston health officials are focusing on vaccines for Covid-19 and influenza, but can also help parents get childhood vaccinations for their children.
“We are hoping to use these clinics to combat misinformation regarding vaccination, and to ensure that Boston residents know that vaccination is a safe and highly effective way to prevent many dangerous infectious diseases and to decrease the risk of severe illness and hospitalization,” said Dr. Ojikutu.
The clinics are all walk-ins, meaning no appointments are required. Additionally, insurance and identification are not needed, but BPHC officials ask that if you have an insurance card and feel comfortable bringing it, please do.
“We do say that because we are paying and we’ve covered the cost of these vaccine clinics, but we can be reimbursed for the services,” said Dr. Ojikutu. “But there’s absolutely no requirement to do so.”
The clinics are coordinated by Boston Public Health Commission with Boston Public Schools (BPS) and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF). Dr. Ojikutu said most clinics will also offer routine childhood vaccinations, including DTap, Tdap, Hepatitis A and B, Meningococcal, Varicella, Polio, and MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Viral Illness) vaccines.
Ojikutu cited the state’s Department of Public Health Data Library, which indicates that 94 percent of children in Suffolk County— which includes Boston— are fully vaccinated against Measles. She hopes the clinics will help maintain the high vaccination rate by reducing potential challenges for care providers.
Dr. Ojikutu added: “We are also promoting these clinics because we have heard from residents that they have had challenges, making appointments at pharmacies, our standing pharmacies, and we also know that a number of standing pharmacies have been closed in Boston over the course of the last year.”
This includes several permanent closures in Dorchester, most recently the Walgreens in Codman Square. The clinics have purposely been scheduled throughout the city on various dates and times, and more will be added if needed.
In addition to childhood vaccinations, all residents can get their Flu and Covid shots.
“Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination specifically, I want to be clear that our guidance is based upon the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommendations, as well as recommendations provided by trusted national, professional organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians,” Dr. Ojikutu said. “I think it’s important to be clear about these recommendations because I think that there has been a lack of clarity and some confusion.”
The BPHC suggests that everyone six months and older receive their flu and Covid shot this year. The Covid vaccine is also strongly recommended for individuals 65 and older and children six months to two years of age.
At-risk groups also include people with other medical conditions like lung disease, underlying heart disease, and obesity; those who are immunocompromised; people who are pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, have recently been pregnant, or who are lactating; healthcare workers; and anyone living in a household with someone who is at higher risk for severe Covid-19.
Health professionals will be at the clinics to provide clarity, answer questions, and combat misinformation.
“I think that the information that’s being disseminated by the federal government, by leaders who are leading agencies that we should trust, is both reckless and irresponsible,” Ojikutu said.
Just this week, President Trump made a series of unfounded statements about acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol.
“The Boston Public Health Commission has been outspoken about our feelings, about what’s going on, not only in terms of vaccination, but this more recent assertion that Tylenol is a cause of autism in children, which is absolutely not the case. There’s no scientific evidence to support that assertion,” said Dr. Ojikutu.
She added: “As a physician, I’m disappointed in what is happening right now. It puts an enormous amount of work on us as physicians, as healthcare professionals, to dispel misinformation when we’re engaging with patients.”
“We are very concerned that our vaccination rates regarding both flu and Covid will be lower than ever this year, given what is happening at the federal level,” she said.
