Category: Cape Ann

IPSWICH — Town Manager Anthony Marino and Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon are pleased to announce that town vaccination clinics have been authorized to offer a third dose of Pfizer vaccine to eligible individuals.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are more likely to have serious disease with COVID-19 and are less likely to develop adequate immunity in response to the two-dose series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

An additional dose is recommended for people who have received a primary series of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and who have moderate to severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments.

These conditions and treatments include but are not limited to:

• Active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Eligible individuals interested in receiving a third dose are asked to speak to their medical provider before attending a clinic. Medical providers may have specific recommendations for their patients, such as stopping a medication before receiving the vaccine. Town clinic staff cannot offer individualized medical guidance.

It is recommended that such individuals receive an additional dose of the same vaccine given in their primary series. If not available, the other mRNA vaccine may be given. There is currently no CDC recommendation about the need for a second dose of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

A third dose of vaccine differs from a booster shot. A third dose provides additional protection to those who had an insufficient immune response to the two-dose series because of a compromised immune system. Booster shots are provided to those who had a sufficient immune response, but which has waned over time. Booster doses are not currently available, and the Town is awaiting further guidance from federal authorities.

Vaccination clinics are open to anyone age 12 and older who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts. Clinics are held on Mondays at Our Lady of Hope rectory, 1 Pine Swamp Road. Register here. Please choose the “second dose” option because the registration system has not been updated yet.

Clinics are scheduled on Mondays through the end of 2021, with the exception of Labor Day (Sept. 6) and Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 11).

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The Rockport Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors during the singing of the national anthem at the Red Sox game last night.

Officer Nick Scatterday, Sgt. Dan Mahoney, Officer Phil Wesley, Officer Dan Cashman and Officer Michael Anderson presented the United States, Massachusetts State and National League of Families POW/MIA flags before last night’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park.

“It is an honor to be a part of the long-lasting tradition of presenting the colors in America’s most beloved ballpark,” said Sgt. Dan Mahoney. “All members of the Rockport Police Department Honor Guard take great pride in this role and were very excited about this opportunity.”

The Rockport Police Honor Guard will also give a presentation of the colors at the Oct. 26 Bruins game against the St. Louis Blues at the TD Garden. Throughout the year, the Rockport Police Honor Guard participates in a number of events including parades, memorial services, departmental ceremonies and funerals.