LYNNFIELD — The town, in partnership with Waltham-based Pelmeds Community Pharmacy, will be offering a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for Lynnfield students ages 12 and up on Thursday, May 29 at the middle school.
“There will be enough doses for everyone who needs one or wants one,” said Emergency Management Team (EMT) School Liaison Toni Rebelo, RN, MSN. “This is all just recommended and is not required. We just want to make it available to those people who want it.”
The news was revealed during an EMT video update addressing Gov. Charlie Baker’s May 17 announcement that Massachusetts would end most COVID-19 restrictions by May 29 and lift the state of emergency on June 15. The new advisory ends the mandatory mask and social-distancing mandates for vaccinated individuals in most settings. Some industries — including health care, schools and transportation — must continue to require individuals to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
Rebelo said an email with a link containing information about the clinic has been sent to school families and staff. The clinic is open to all residents regardless of where they attend school.
Town Administrator Rob Dolan said that, while vaccinations are not mandatory, it is extremely important that residents get vaccinated.
“We are encouraging all to get vaccinated and cannot stress how important that is,” he said. “There are sites available everywhere if you want to get a dose very quickly. We say this as it’s an issue as to how we protect each other.”
Dolan added that the town’s 60-plus population is almost fully vaccinated. He also pointed out the impact that the relaxation of capacity restrictions will have on local businesses.
“No more capacity limits on outdoor gatherings and being able to have 100 percent capacity for business is big,” he said. “With no more limits on seating capacity, that will certainly help our MarketStreet and other restaurants through the summer.”
For a second straight year, the town’s Memorial Day observance will be virtual, but Dolan expressed optimism on the prospect of the community being able to celebrate Veterans Day with a traditional, in-person program.
“Obviously this year we are going to have a virtual parade on Memorial Day, but that might change for Veterans Day in the fall,” he said.
Rebelo said she’s excited about the way the governor’s announcement will impact the daily routines of students.
“These are big changes for our schools. Everything is going in such an amazing direction for the school community now, to be able to have our students outdoors without any masks on during recess and outdoor learning and otherwise,” she said. “Students can now share objects, like gym equipment and art supplies and other manipulative objects. Those two things are huge, and students can now see their friends and teachers’ faces again.”
Dolan said that, while Lynnfield case numbers are low (just seven in the last 14 days), “we are not out of the woods yet.
“We’d all agree on that, but this is a day we’ve all been waiting for,” he said. “We want people to play and enjoy sports again and want you to enjoy a beautiful week and wonderful summer of 2021.”