BHS Vaccine Centers Phasing Out Johnson & Johnson

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PITTSFIELD, Mass — Following guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Berkshire Health Systems will discontinue widespread distribution of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at its testing and vaccine centers, effective Jan. 6, 2022.
 
"This decision is based on guidance from the CDC, which recently examined the efficacy, safety, and supply of the J&J vaccine," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer.
 
"In light of these recommendations, the CDC has made it clear that getting any vaccine is far better than remaining unvaccinated. Any patient who would like to request an initial or booster dose of the J&J vaccine, despite known limitations and risks, can call the COVID-19 Hotline to consult with a provider," he explained.
 
Anyone who is currently scheduled for a J&J vaccine or booster at a BHS Testing and Vaccine Center on or before Jan 5 will have the option to receive the J&J vaccine as scheduled or can receive a Pfizer or Moderna dose instead.
 
"For individuals who have received one shot of the J&J vaccine, we highly recommend getting a Pfizer or Moderna booster. If they have already received a J&J booster, we are asking them to talk to their primary care provider about receiving a booster dose of one of the other available vaccines," said Dr. Lederer.
 
The BHS COVID-19 hotline is 855-BMC-LINK (855-262-5465). For more information on the CDC's decision, please visit their website: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1216-covid-19-vaccines.html

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   COVID-19,   vaccinations,   


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Truck Crashes Into Pittsfield's Samel's Deli

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Elm Street will be partially closed as cleanup continues. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wednesday morning was busy for Pittsfield first responders, as a pickup truck crashed into Samel's Deli & Catering and a fire broke out on First Street.

Around 9:45 a.m., the police reported that the street in front of Samel's Deli & Catering would be closed or down to one lane as a result of a two-car collision that sent the truck careening into the deli.

The department posted two photos on Facebook, one depicting the silver truck with New York license plates crashed through the glass of the front entrance and another of a white Honda CR-V with significant damage to the front end.

"A vehicle was coming out of one of the alleyways here and struck this truck, which continued into the building," Police Officer Craig Jones explained when iBerkshires arrived on the scene.

Jones reported that there was one injury but whether it was someone in the vehicles or in the deli. A crossing signal near Samel's front entrance was also taken out by the truck.

Around this time, crews worked to clear debris in front of the restaurant as the truck was towed away. That section of the road reopened around 11 a.m.

The police, firefighters and an ambulance responded to the accident and police intend to release a statement on the incident.

Around 6:15 a.m., the Fire Department reported that it had responded to a possible structure fire at 233-235 First St. Windows on all three floors of the multi-family building are now broken or boarded up and the cause is under investigation by the Fire Investigation Unit and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office.

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