Transition Wellness Center
The Transition Wellness Center (TWC), a temporary homeless shelter at the Spaulding Hospital, opened on December 16 following the closure of the temporary emergency shelter at the War Memorial Recreation Center. The shelter is intended to help address the urgent needs of Cambridge residents who are experiencing homelessness or unable to safely quarantine in their residence due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Cambridge Public Health Department Issues Advisory on Protecting Yourself from the Omicron Variant
The rapidly spreading Omicron variant is expected to cause a steep increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Massachusetts over the coming weeks. Activities that were thought to be reasonably safe for vaccinated people a few months ago now carry greater risk. Given the very high transmissibility of Omicron, the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) urges residents to observe several recommendations.
FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine
Today (August 23, 2021), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
FDA Takes Key Action by Approving Second COVID-19 Vaccine
Today (January 31, 2022), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a second COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; the approved vaccine will be marketed as Spikevax for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.