Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative Offering Clinics this Fall

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  Members of the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
The clinics will be scheduled from late September through early November, and anyone can receive a vaccine at any scheduled clinic, regardless of insurance status or place of residence. 
 
The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative encourages everyone to visit GetVaccinatedBerkshires.org, which has an updated calendar of all scheduled clinics with links to pre-register, additional information on vaccines, and contact information in the event of questions or problems in pre-registering for a clinic. In addition, the site has information on how to schedule an in-home vaccination for those who are homebound. 
 
All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine. The clinics will have both pediatric and adult flu vaccine, including the high dose flu vaccine for those over the age of 65, and the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children and adults. A limited number of egg-free vaccines and flu mist may also be offered, depending on availability. 
 
Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered. To register, visit https://getvaccinatedberkshires.org. 
 
The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative is a partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, the Berkshire Public Health Alliance, the City of Pittsfield Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative, with the shared goal of getting everyone in the community vaccinated as quickly as possible—safely, effectively, and efficiently.

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   vaccinations,   

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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