COVID-19

Learn about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, treatment, and available resources.

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Everyone ages 6 months and older should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, which provide the best protection against infection, severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised here.

Residents are encouraged to contact their health care provider or visit a local pharmacy to find an accessible vaccine clinic. Contact the Mayor’s Health Line for free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral services at 617-534-5050. The Mayor’s Health Line helps all residents regardless of immigration status.

How to Prevent COVID-19

COVID-19 can still be contagious even when you feel well. Taking extra steps helps protect both yourself and those around you. Check out key steps to prevent COVID-19 below.

Get vaccinated.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your cough or sneeze.
Increase indoor ventilation and air circulation. Cracking open a window helps increase airflow.
Mask up if you need (5 days after being sick, if you must leave the house while sick, or if you’re at high risk of severe illness).
Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Get tested by using an at-home rapid test kit or by contacting your health care provider.
Get treatment and talk to your health care provider right away if you test positive for COVID-19.
Stay at home if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness to stop the spread of germs.

For in-depth Massachusetts guidelines, please refer to the MA Department of Public Health's recommendations.

Why Get Vaccinated?

WHY SHOULD I GET VACCINATED?

The COVID-19 vaccine is an important and effective tool to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection against becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19. Even though COVID-19 can be mild, lasting health problems from the disease (known as “Long COVID”) can occur. That's why everyone ages 6 months and older should get vaccinated.

WHY SHOULD I VACCINATE MY CHILD?

The COVID-19 vaccine helps keep your family safe and healthy.

Even though COVID-19 is usually milder in children, some children can get very sick or develop lasting health problems. Children can also spread the virus to family members who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine protects your child getting very sick and helps prevent serious short- and long-term complications of COVID-19. Not only that, vaccinating your child can help keep them in childcare and school, and makes it safer for them to enjoy the activities they love.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may be subtle, such as changes in mental status or blood glucose levels, for the following groups:

Older adults
People with chronic conditions
People with significant care needs, including long-term care

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache

New loss of sense of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Skin rashes

If you have emergency warning signs, call 911. Emergency warning signs include:

Difficulty breathing
Pain or pressure in chest
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
Confused or finding it hard to wake or stay awake
Other serious symptoms

COVID-19 Treatment Options

If you test positive for COVID-19:

Contact your health care provider right away, even if symptoms are mild. Treatments are available, but they must start early (some within 5 days of symptoms).
Stay home and isolate for at least 5 days, regardless of vaccination status. Some people may remain infectious after 5 days.
Seek care if you are at higher risk for severe illness (including older adults, those with certain underlying health conditions, or people with weakened immune systems).

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THOSE WITH ASTHMA:

Work with your care providers to keep asthma and allergies in check. Make sure you have enough of the medications you need. Follow your Asthma Action Plan.
Take daily and rescue medications as prescribed.
Know and avoid your triggers as much as possible.
Clean and disinfect safely by protecting yourself and others.

Videos: COVID is Complicated/COVID Es Complicado

COVID is Complicated: Know the Facts. Find the Truth.

Everyone has questions about COVID-19 and vaccination.

COVID Es Complicado

Conozca los hechos. Encuentre la verdad.

COVID Es Complicado

Conozca los hechos. Encuentre la verdad.

our promise to equity

The COVID-19 pandemic has unfairly affected Boston's Black, Latinx, immigrant, and other communities of color. Systemic racism, including in health care and vaccine development, also contributes to concerns and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. We're committed to making information available in multiple languages, through multiple methods, and on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to help our residents make informed decisions.