Town of Needham - Public Health Division

08/28/2026

We’ve received a few phone calls regarding the location for these clinics & we want to clarify that yes, as stated in this post, the clinics are at the Rosemary Recreation Complex, not the Center at the Heights this year due to construction. We apologize for any confusion!

It's time to schedule your flu shot! 💉

We will be hosting two Saturday flu clinics in September (the 12th and the 26th) from 9am to 12pm at the Rosemary Recreation Complex. Different location than in previous years (s/o to our friends at the Center at the Heights!), but still big enough to welcome our community members and vaccinate!

Anyone 6 months and older are eligible for flu shots, regardless of health insurance coverage. Registration is highly encouraged, but if your loved one brings you along for the fun and you haven't registered, no worries-- we'll take care of you!

Use the link in our Linktree, scan the QR code, or use the link at the end of the caption to register up to 8 people at a time!

For any questions or concerns, please contact Ginnie Chacon-Lopez at [email protected], including inquiries regarding home visits to vaccinate yourself or a loved one.

P.S. we will also be at Harvest Fair on Sunday, October 4th from 11am to 3pm, but more info, including the registration link, will be available soon! We will also be hosting clinics during the weekdays throughout September and October so be on the look out for those dates and info, too!

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/needham?site=rosemary-recreation-complex-rrc

08/27/2026

REMINDER: Join us tonight for Needham's 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Vigil 💜

Together, we'll honor those we've lost, support those impacted by substance use, and raise awareness that recovery is possible.

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Memorial Park Gazebo

The evening will include guest speakers, music, free naloxone and naloxone training, and resource tables from local organizations.

Whether you've been personally affected or simply want to support your community, we invite you to stand with us.

08/26/2026

It's time to schedule your flu shot! 💉

We will be hosting two Saturday flu clinics in September (the 12th and the 26th) from 9am to 12pm at the Rosemary Recreation Complex. Different location than in previous years (s/o to our friends at the Center at the Heights!), but still big enough to welcome our community members and vaccinate!

Anyone 6 months and older are eligible for flu shots, regardless of health insurance coverage. Registration is highly encouraged, but if your loved one brings you along for the fun and you haven't registered, no worries-- we'll take care of you!

Use the link in our Linktree, scan the QR code, or use the link at the end of the caption to register up to 8 people at a time!

For any questions or concerns, please contact Ginnie Chacon-Lopez at [email protected], including inquiries regarding home visits to vaccinate yourself or a loved one.

P.S. we will also be at Harvest Fair on Sunday, October 4th from 11am to 3pm, but more info, including the registration link, will be available soon! We will also be hosting clinics during the weekdays throughout September and October so be on the look out for those dates and info, too!

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/needham?site=rosemary-recreation-complex-rrc

08/24/2026

On Thursday, August 27, at 6:30 PM, join the Town of Needham - Public Health Division and others for Needham's 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Vigil at Memorial Park, 92 Rosemary St., Needham.

Supporting those who grieve. Honoring lives lost. Inspiring hope and prevention.

Free Naloxone and Naloxone training, speakers, music, and resource tables.

08/24/2026

💜 Join us for Needham's 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Vigil.
Together, we'll honor those we've lost, support those impacted by substance use, and raise awareness that recovery is possible.

📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Memorial Park Gazebo

The evening will include guest speakers, music, free naloxone and naloxone training, and resource tables from local organizations.
Whether you've been personally affected or simply want to support your community, we invite you to stand with us.

08/20/2026

Kratom has been in the media lately, especially after the Commissioner of the MA Department of Public Health signed an emergency order temporarily categorizing it as a schedule I controlled substance on August 14, 2026.

While kratom is native to Southeast Asia and has been used as a holistic remedy to treat a number of ailments, it has been shown to cause opioid-like withdrawal symptoms and possible overdose.

Kratom isn't an opioid, however, naloxone (Narcan) can be used to reverse an overdose as its active compounds attach to the same opioid receptors in the brain as actual opioids do! (hint hint: we have free naloxone in our public health office [link in bio to request a kit or two and free training as well!]).

The Needham Board of Health has banned the sale of kratom products in our community since February 2025, but other municipalities have not. With this emergency order, other municipalities can now implement similar articles and keep our communities safe!

08/19/2026

For this week’s National Immunization Awareness Month post, we’re looking at kindergartners’ vaccines rates for the 2025-2026 school year in MA compared to the US as a whole. Long story, short: we’re above average & that’s what we’re striving for!

Check with your child’s pediatrician to make sure they’re all set with their vaccines so they can stay protected while in school! 💉

08/18/2026

You may have seen recent reports about West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts. With mosquito samples testing positive in communities across the state, it’s a good time to review what WNV is and how you can protect yourself 🦟

West Nile is a virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected with WNV (80%) will have no symptoms. A smaller number of people who become infected (20%) will have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or rash, typically these symptoms will start 2-6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or medicines available to prevent or treat West Nile virus in people. The best way to protect yourself is to prevent mosquito bites in the first place. You can reduce your risk by:

• Use EPA registered mosquito repellents
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Schedule outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn
• Repair any holes in screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows
• Remove areas of standing water around your home

For more information please visit:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/west-nile-virus-wnv

08/13/2026

❗LAST CHANCE - SURVEY CLOSING SOON❗

Hey Needham! Our community health assessment survey is still open, but closing soon.

We are looking for more responses to help identify local health needs, challenges, and priorities. Make your voice heard and help shape a healthier community for everyone.

Have ~15 minutes? Take the survey today!

⏱ Survey takes ~15 minutes to complete and is anonymous
🗓Survey open until August 15, 2026
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026PHN

08/12/2026

The Town’s Traveling Meals program is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to homebound Needham residents, many of whom are seniors.

Volunteers are asked to commit to 1 morning per week from August 31, 2026 through June 2027 to help build relationships with clients and identify when additional support may be needed.

Deliveries take place weekdays from 10:15 am to 12:30 pm within Needham. Substitute drivers are available as needed.

To volunteer or learn more, contact Rebecca Hall at 781-455-7940, extension 74219.

Find more information on the Traveling Meals Program on the Town's website:
https://www.needhamma.gov/5169/Traveling-Meals