Salem Schools Host Slate Of COVID-19, Flu Vaccination Clinics

SALEM, MA — Salem families are encouraged to take advantage of several opportunities to get their students updated COVID-19 and flu vaccinations over the next few weeks.

The Salem Board of Health and Salem Schools are hosting the clinics beginning on Oct. 13 at Bates Elementary School from 2 to 5 p.m. Clinics will follow at Saltonstall School on Oct. 20 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Witchcraft Heights Elementary on Oct. 27 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Bentley Academy Innovation on Nov. 3 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and at Horace Mann Laboratory School on Nov. 10 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Coronavirus shots and boosters will be available for all age levels, as well as the annual flu shot. A parent or guardian must be present for a student under 18 years old to receive a shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said both shots can be taken at the same time in different arms.

The CDC advises waiting two to three months for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster after infection and to consider a booster three to four months after an infection or last vaccination if you are in a high-risk group or planning to attend a large social event.

Anyone can get boosted between four and six months after an infection or last vaccination and the CDC encourages everyone to do so if it has been six or more months since an infection or vaccination.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)