• Do I have to take the vaccine? The vaccine is voluntary. We note that studies have shown people with intellectual disabilities are three times more likely to have serious outcomes from COVID-19.
• If I get the vaccine, does life go back to normal? It is important to continue full safety protocols (wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands) until we are told it is safe to do otherwise.
• Do I only need one shot? No, the Phase 1 is a two-dose vaccine. The second dose will be scheduled 28 days after the first. 
• If I’ve already had COVID-19, do I need to get the vaccine? Yes. If you have an active infection of COVID, you must wait until you have recovered. This and other questions are answered in more detail in the current links below. 

• Latest vaccine update in MA , from Mass.gov
• Information about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, from the CDC
• General vaccine information, from Mass.gov
• Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions, from Mass.gov
• Fact Sheet for recipients and caregivers, from FDA.gov
• Mass General/Brigham vaccine patient FAQs, FAQs in Spanish
• New England Journal of Medicine Vaccine Q&A
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan To Begin Vaccinations for Congregate Care Facilities, Updates to Phase Two

• January 19, 2021, 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST, Mediation and Facilitation with Myrto Flessas of the Bureau of Special Appeals (BSEA), from Amherst-Pelham SEPAC
• January 21, 2021, 7:00 PM EST, Protecting Children in Cyberspace: Online Safety in a Virtual World, from Mass Support and Riverside Trauma Center
• January 25, 2021, 10:30 AM EST, Mental Health and the IEP Learning Series (1-25, 2-1, 2-8), from PPAL, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
• January 26, 2021, 12:00 PM EST: Parenting during COVID-19. Hear from panelists Kaa Ayers, Nicole Lomerson, and Morenike Giwa Onaiwu as they discuss parenting with a disability during COVID-19, from Brandeis University 
• February 3, 2021: AUDITORY PROCESSING AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS from the Autism Research Institute.
• February 6, 2021, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST: Accessing the Curriculum in Our New Socially-Distanced Normal, from the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and 3-21 Foundation.

• Department of Public Health announces first case of COVID-19 variant confirmed in Massachusetts, January 17
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan To Begin Vaccinations for Congregate Care Facilities, Updates to Phase Two, January 13

• Latest vaccine update in MA , from Mass.gov
• Information about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, from the CDC
• General vaccine information, from Mass.gov
• Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions, from Mass.gov
• Fact Sheet for recipients and caregivers, from FDA.gov
• Mass General/Brigham vaccine patient FAQs, FAQs in Spanish
• New England Journal of Medicine Vaccine Q&A
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan To Begin Vaccinations for Congregate Care Facilities, Updates to Phase Two

• AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER: Due to an unforeseen circumstance, COVID testing on 1/20 is cancelled. We are not yet sure if the Community Health Center will be able to resume testing onsite at ASC on 2/3 as planned. Anyone who signed up will be notified.