SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 locally, American International College is partnering with Behavioral Health Network to offer free COVID-19 booster shots to the community this week.
To help boost vaccination numbers in the greater Springfield area, American International College is holding a booster clinic for not only students who need to receive the booster by February 1, but for all residents as well. AIC will offer both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine as well as the option to get a flu shot, and registration is not required.
AIC Booster Shot Dates: Located at 1000 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts at the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center, West Wing Gallery
- January 25th: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- January 26th: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
“I’m expecting a good turnout. In terms of protecting ourselves against COVID-19, receiving the booster shot is one of the best things we can do,” said Kaelly Miller, Director of Health Services.
More than 2.3 million booster shots have been administered, which is 46 percent of the population in Massachusetts. Roughly 37 percent of people have received the booster nationwide.
Nursing student Samantha Eger at AIC starts clinical soon and said she wants to protect herself, “I haven’t seen them, my grandparents, and I’m trying to keep myself and my family safe. Especially going into hospitals or healthcare settings and protecting my patients too, that I’m going to be helping.”
The state now averages about 15,600 new cases every day, 21 percent fewer than the first week in January.
Vaccinations and booster shots have kept severe cases and deaths down this winter compared to last year.
AIC has a 98 percent vaccination rate but Assistant Athletic Director Michael Lavato said the school has run into some challenges on the field, “We’ve hit a rough patch right now with some of our contests so getting this booster helps us not be in that rough patch if that makes sense.”
For months, Hampden County has had one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state at around 41 percent. If you miss Tuesday’s clinic, the campus will also be holding one on Wednesday.