The National Association of Community Health Centers has recognized Lowell Community Health Center for leveraging new technology to increase equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations among the health center’s multilingual patient community. Lowell CHC recently launched a new vaccine registration system using intelligent automated technology, with a focus on assuring language access.
Lucia Maria Dos Santos beamed with pride after receiving her first COVID-19 vaccine shot Wednesday at the Lowell Community Health Center.
One of the reasons Dos Santos felt relaxed was the presence of an 11-member National Guard team. By next week, 400-600 people will receive vaccinations per day, thanks to the presence of the National Guard. The plan is to have the National Guard on site for at least eight weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have determined that the recommended pause on the use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine should be lifted, and use of the vaccine should resume. “We have concluded that the known and potential benefits of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older. We are confident that this vaccine continues to meet our standards for safety, effectiveness and quality.”
Lowell Community Health Center is offering an easier online system for booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments. When an appointment is available, patients will receive a secure text with a link to register for the vaccine appointment, then follow the link to complete the registration process. Following the link is the quickest way to book an appointment, but patients may still call 978-547-1686 if they are having difficulty with the online registration.
Today’s verdict on George Floyd’s murder is a resounding outcry that Black Lives Matter. It reminds us of our collective humanity. It reminds us of the sacred responsibility we share to stand together for what is right. It fortifies our resolve that injustices can no longer prevail. Too many lives have been needlessly lost. We say, Enough!
The COVID-19 vaccines are now open to all residents age 16 and older. (Lowell CHC offers the Moderna vaccine, for ages 18 and older.) The vaccine is available and free to everyone who lives, works or studies in Massachusetts, including undocumented immigrants. Getting the vaccine will not affect your immigration status.
Community members are invited to attend a Lowell Public Schools input session on Tuesday, April 20 at 6pm, regarding the planned use of federal emergency funds to accelerate student learning and overcome COVID-19 related learning loss.
This session is open to all families and community members, who will receive important information about the anticipated revenue (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief – ESSER) for Lowell Public Schools and hear about how the District plans to prioritize the allocation of these funds.
Community members are invited to give feedback on the ESSER grant application, which the District has to submit to DESE this spring in order to receive these funds.
Click here to register for the Zoom session.
Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Khmer, Portuguese, and American Sign Language (ASL). If you are in need of interpretation services in an additional language, please contact Vannak Khin, Bilingual Family Liaison Lead, by Monday, April 19 at 10am by email (vkhin@lowell.k12.ma.us) or phone (978-328-6782). Please be sure to indicate your preferred language.
Lowell CHC CEO Susan West Levine spoke with WBUR about the center’s ability to pivot in response to the pause in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.The center is using the Moderna vaccine, which is not affected by the safety review, and no appointments were canceled. “We are on an hour-by-hour planning basis at the moment,” Levine said.
In accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Lowell Community Health Center is pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. We are administering the Moderna vaccine, which is not affected by the recent safety review, so if you are scheduled for a vaccine at Lowell CHC, it is important that you keep your appointment. We are not canceling appointments. You can help #stopthespread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.
The FDA has reported that, as of 4/12/21, 6.8 million+ doses (181,034 in Massachusetts) of the J&J vaccine have been administered. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals receiving the vaccine. Per the CDC and FDA: People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
Lowell Community Health Center is offering an easier online system for booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments. When patients are eligible for the vaccine and an appointment is available, they will receive a secure text with a link to register for the vaccine. Patients may still call 978-547-1686 to book an appointment, if they prefer not to use the online system.
