September 11, 2023: Temporary pause to COVID-19 vaccine availability.
In the coming days, an updated COVID-19 vaccine will be released. This updated vaccine is formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. This updated version will be safe, and most persons are expected to qualify for this vaccine, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated in the past. There is nothing wrong or unsafe about past COVID-19 vaccinations.
LCHC anticipates offering this updated vaccine in the coming weeks. Please check back to this webpage or call our main line for updates: 781-581-3900.
Read more information about these updated vaccines.
- The FDA is confident in the safety and effectiveness of these updated vaccines and the agency’s benefit-risk assessment demonstrates that the benefits of these vaccines for individuals 6 months of age and older outweigh their risks.
- Individuals who receive an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may experience similar side effects as those reported by individuals who previously received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as described in the respective prescribing information or fact sheets.
- The updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against COVID-19 from the currently circulating variants. Barring the emergence of a markedly more virulent variant, the FDA anticipates that the composition of COVID-19 vaccines may need to be updated annually, as is done for the seasonal influenza vaccine.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will on September 12 to discuss clinical recommendations on who should receive an updated vaccine, as well as further considerations for specific populations such as immunocompromised and older individuals.
- Manufacturers have publicly announced that the updated vaccines would be ready this fall, and the FDA anticipates that the updated vaccines will be available in the very near future.
Read about the FDA's expected approval / authorization.
Pending recommendation by ACIP and approval by the CDC, the expected FDA approval/authorization includes:
- Individuals 5 years of age and older regardless of previous vaccination are eligible to receive a single dose of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
- Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received).
- Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive three doses of the updated authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or two doses of the updated authorized Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be the best protection against the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free. We will ask for your insurance information, but you will not be charged. If you don’t have insurance, we can help!
LCHC Patients should call 781-581-3900 to schedule an appointment.
What do I need to bring to get vaccinated?
- Note: Lack of driver’s license, social security number, or insurance is not a barrier to receiving the vaccine.
- A government-issued identification or license, employer-issued ID card that includes your name and title Health Insurance card
- To save time when you arrive for your appointment, complete and bring copies of the two (2) forms
- If you cannot download and print these forms, they will be supplied to you upon arrival!
What do I need to know about vaccinations for under 18 year old's?
If the patient is between 6 months and 17 years old, they must be accompanied by a guardian. If you are age 16 or 17 and you are unable to bring someone with you, we will accept written permission.
We cannot currently accept patients age 6 months – 15 years old without a guardian present.
What if I need transportation assistance?
If you have insurance through MassHealth, you can get help with transportation to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, even if you don’t usually receive transportation assistance to regular doctor’s appointments. You qualify if you use one of these services:
- MassHealth Limited, MassHealth Family Assistance, the Children’s Medical Health Safety Net.
- Members with MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth and CarePlus can also get transportation to vaccine appointments, as well as other medical appointments, through MassHealth.
- Those enrolled in a Senior Care Option or OneCare plan, or PACE, should continue to use the transportation services offered by their managed care provider.
- Please call 1-800-841-2900 to schedule your transportation to your vaccine appointment.
- If you normally get help with transportation to doctor’s appointments, the most common and fastest way to get approval is to contact your health care provider and have them submit a transportation request for you.
COVID-19 vaccination for children
COVID-19 vaccines are available for children ages 6 months and older. We are excited to offer vaccines at our LCHC locations to help protect children against COVID-19. Vaccinating children can also help relieve the strain on families by providing greater confidence in children participating in childcare, school, and other activities!
- Vaccinating children can also help prevent them from getting seriously sick if they do get COVID-19.
- Children receive a smaller dose of COVID-19 vaccine than teens and adults.
- Children who have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated.
- Children can safely receive other vaccines the same day they receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
Is the COVID-19 vaccination safe & effective for my child?
Yes.
COVID-19 vaccination has been studied carefully in children. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the expert panel that works with them have reviewed the data from clinical trials. Through ongoing safety monitoring, vaccination for children continues to be safe and effective. Here are some important points about COVID-19 vaccination for children:
- COVID-19 vaccine dosage is based on age on the day of vaccination, not by size or weight. Children get an age-appropriate dose that is the right amount for them.
- The safety of COVID-19 vaccine continues to be monitored. Serious health events, including severe allergic reactions and myocarditis and pericarditis, after COVID-19 vaccination are rare.
- The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for children outweigh the risks and potential serious complications of getting infected with COVID-19.
Will my child have any side effects from this vaccine?
Your child may have some side effects after getting vaccinated. These are normal and usually go away in a few days. Reported side effects are mild, temporary and like those experienced after routine vaccines. They can vary across different age groups.
| 6 Months – 3 Years | 4 – 17 Years |
Common side effects can include:
| Side effects are more common after additional doses, and can include:
|
Some children will have no side effects and serious reactions are rare. If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, we are ready to respond. Most of the time, the only things your child might need after vaccination is rest, a non-aspirin pain reliever, and a cool washcloth at the injection site. Contact us if you need more information about treating potential side effects.
COVID-19 Testing in Lynn
Access priority for COVID-19 Test Kits will be given to patients who are uninsured or facing additional barriers. Self-test kits are available at all LCHC locations. If a symptomatic patient has an appointment, point of care rapid antigen testing will be performed. PCR Tests may be collected at the clinical team’s discretion.
Search for other testing locations: Find A Covid-19 Test Site
As a community, we are fortunate to have COVID at home self-test kits accessible to us in a variety of settings. While volume and frequency of availability may shift in settings such as healthcare services, schools, and municipal buildings, COVID self-test kits are readily available for purchase at local pharmacies. Cost may vary according to individual health insurance. Individuals with Medicaid will remain eligible for no cost testing kits until September 2024.
CDC Guide to Free COVID-19 Tests
Government Guidance
Get Medication for COVID-19
COVID-19 Treatment (“Therapeutics”) in Lynn
We offer oral medications for COVID-19. Treatment with monoclonal antibody is also available locally in Everett. This treatment is an IV infusion that can be given to those with COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms, within 7 days of onset (remember, the oral therapy is from 5 days of onset).
A link to local pharmacies that carry oral medication and/or monoclonal antibody is here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/information-for-providers-about-therapeutic-treatments-for-covid-19#covid-19-therapeutic-locator-
Besides LCHC, there are now four facilities (3 CVS pharmacies and Walmart) in Lynn currently with oral therapeutics.
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