As temperatures drop across the state and activities are moved indoors, the risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections increases.
A recent visit to Fair Haven Community Health Center in New Haven by state legislators and the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, Dr. Mandy Cohen, highlighted the importance of vaccines. She explained that three respiratory viruses will be circulating throughout fall and winter, mainly COVID-19, influenza and RSV, but residents can protect themselves by getting vaccinated.
“As we get into the fall and winter, we’re doing activities where this virus likes to spread. We expect to see [COVID-19] continue to circulate … this is why it’s the best time, right now in October, to get yourself this updated current vaccine to protect yourself,” Cohen said.
The Record-Journal has compiled a list of local pharmacies accepting COVID-19 or flu vaccine appointments for teens and adults.
Additional information on COVID-19 vaccines
The CDC recommends that anyone five years and older should receive one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness, either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available to most adults living in the U.S. at no cost through private health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid plans. Individuals who are underinsured or are without insurance can access vaccines through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program until Dec. 31, 2024.
So far, more than 4 million people have already received their updated COVID-19 vaccine, Cohen said at last week’s visit.
“Getting this updated [COVID-19] vaccine now allows your body to be in the best fighting shape it possibly can be going into the fall and winter, when we’re going to see more virus circulating,” Cohen added. “This virus continues to change and what this updated vaccine gets you is both the fact that you’re getting back into fighting shape … and it matches the current virus.”
Cheshire
--CVS Pharmacy at 581 Highland Ave.: Flu vaccines are available by appointment only at (203) 250-2251.
--CVS Pharmacy at 905 S Main St.:Offers flu vaccines by appointment only at (203) 272-3255.
--Rite Aid at 180 Main St.: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 272-3543.
--Stop & Shop at 275 Highland Ave.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 272-3697.
--Chesprocott Health District at 1247 Highland Ave: Starting Oct. 19, they will offer flu vaccines every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. They will also begin offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine soon.
Meriden
--CVS Pharmacy at 153 Broad St.:Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 237-8997. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--CVS Pharmacy at 839 E Main St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 235-8285. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--CVS Pharmacy at 474 Chamberlain Hwy.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 634-6060. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--CVS Pharmacy at 540 W Main St.: Offers flu vaccines by appointment only at (203) 237-8984.
--Stop & Shop at 485 Broad St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 238-1261.
--Walgreens at 825 E Main St.: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (203) 238-0910. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Walgreens at 425 W Main St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (203) 639-8166. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Walgreens at 134 State St.: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (203) 634-3241. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Meriden Health and Human Services Department, 165 Miller St.: Hosting five evening flu vaccine clinics through the end of the year. The clinic only accepts appointments and runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7 and 21 and Dec. 27. They will have vaccines for children and adults. They accept medical insurance, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Connecticare and Cigna. There’s a $20 co-pay for uninsured residents, and children are vaccinated for free. Appointments can be made at (203) 630-4234.
Southington
--CVS Pharmacy at Target, 600 Executive Blvd S.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (860) 406-6755. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--CVS Pharmacy at 326 Main St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (860) 621-1996. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--CVS Pharmacy at 14 Farmington Ave, Plainville: Flu vaccines are available by appointment at (860) 793-9248.
--Stop & Shop at 505 N Main St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (860) 620-9060.
--Walgreens at 359 Main St.: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (860) 621-3729. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Walgreens at 5 Farmington Ave., Plainville: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (860) 793-9356. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Walmart at 235 Queen St.: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (860) 621-9540.
Wallingford
--Rite Aid at 605 N Colony Road: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 265-3600.
--Stop & Shop at 930 N Colony Road: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna) are available by appointment at (203) 265-3942.
--Walgreens at 284 S Colony Road: COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are available by appointment at (203) 265-6336. They are participants of the Bridge Access Program.
--Walmart at 844 N Colony Road: Flu vaccines are available by appointment only at (203) 269-6622.
To find other locations administering COVID-19 or flu vaccines, go to vaccines.gov.
cvillalonga@record-journal.com
203-317-2448
Reporter Cris Villalonga-Vivoni is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. Support RFA reporters at the Record-Journal through a donation at https://bit.ly/3Pdb0re. To learn more about RFA, visit www.reportforamerica.org.