Cambridge Public Health Department

08/20/2026

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance for people of all ages to stay up to date on vaccines. With the current Measles outbreak in the US, it’s important that children and adults are protected from infection. Thanks to a high vaccination rate, the number of measles cases in Massachusetts remains very low. Let’s keep it this way – be sure your measles vaccine is up to date!

Visit Mass.gov Public Health’s vaccine guidance to learn more: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dph-recommended-guidance-for-vaccines



Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Cambridge Public School District (Official Site) Cambridge Office of Early Childhood Cambridge Health Alliance Let's Talk Cambridge

08/19/2026

Public Health Updates as of 8.19.26:

1) On August 10, President Trump gave an executive order to dramatically change the childhood vaccine schedule.

Governor Maura Healey responded that in , we will continue to “make sure that vaccines remain available to people in the state including our young people.”

“It’s important to note that this executive order was not based on any new scientific information,” states CPHD’s Medical Director Linda Shipton, MD. “This order creates confusion for parents who are trying to keep their children healthy. At CPHD, we encourage parents to find vaccine guidance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Mass.gov DPH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.”

2) Mass.gov DPH is inviting residents to help shape future public health decisions by participating in the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey. The survey is available in 11 languages, anonymous, and only takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Take the survey now at mass.gov/HealthSurvey

3) On August 13, Governor Maura Healey announced new actions to protect residents from dangerous and largely unregulated kratom products. Kratom, a plant-based product, can produce stimulant-like or opioid-like effects and carries an overdose risk.

4) On August 10, Governor Healey signed legislation that strengthens abortion protections in Massachusetts.

5) Recall on limited number of select flavors of Outshine Fruit Bars due to possible foreign material contamination with glass.

Learn more here: https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/public-health-updates-as-of-august-19-2026/

Cambridge Public School District (Official Site) Cambridge Council on Aging Division on Addiction Cambridge Health Alliance City of Cambridge (Official) Vaccinate Your Family

To keep the community updated on public health developments, the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) will provide regular updates on its website and in a dedicated space in the city’s daily email. Look for a recap of important public health information every other week. Childhood Vaccines On...

08/14/2026

The MA Department of Public Health announced on August 13 that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Cambridge, MA. WNV is commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people do not get severe symptoms from WNV, people over 60 and those with certain chronic medical conditions are more likely to develop severe illness.

There are simple things residents can do to prevent mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Follow the directions on the package.
- Being aware of peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn).
- Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Mosquito-proofing your home by draining standing water and using tight-fitting screens in windows and doors.
- Using mosquito netting on strollers and playpens.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/west-nile-virus-confirmed-in-mosquitoes-from-cambridge/



City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Council on Aging Cambridge Office of Early Childhood Cambridge Senior Center Cambridge Public School District (Official Site) Cambridge Health Alliance

08/12/2026

Have you seen the StoryWalk at Bergin Park? The "One Hot Summer Day" Storywalk will be there until Sunday, August 16. See it before it goes!

https://letstalkcambridge.org/summer-storywalk-series-2026/

Let's Talk Cambridge City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Public School District (Official Site)

08/10/2026

Hey Cambridge, when you take the Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey, your answers help guide decisions about your community.

The survey data helps to quantify health and social needs unique to different communities, identify opportunities to address inequities, and prioritize how resources are allocated.

The survey is available in 11 languages, easy to take, and anonymous. Take the survey now at mass.gov/HealthSurvey

City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Health Alliance CHA Sante Se Lavi CHA Salud es Vida CHA Saúde Cambridge Public Library Cambridge Senior Center Cambridge Council on Aging Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Cambridge Somerville Independent Cambridge Day Let's Talk Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui Department of Human Service Programs, Cambridge MA Department of Human Service Programs, Cambridge MA

08/06/2026

Here are the public health updates as of 8/6/26:
1) American Red Cross declared its second-ever national blood🩸supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. Every blood donation helps end the crisis. Find a blood drive near you and book an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

2) August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance for people of all ages to stay up to date on vaccines.

With the current measles outbreak in the US, it’s important that children and adults are protected from infection. Thanks to a high vaccination rate, the number of measles cases in Massachusetts remains very low. Let’s keep it this way – be sure your measles vaccine is up to date!

Be sure to make a reminder to get your yearly flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the fall, 🎃🍂🍁which is the ideal time to get them. It’s safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, making it easy to schedule.

3) Summer 🏖️☀️ is going by quickly, but there’s still time to enjoy it safely! Be sure to review CPHD’s warm weather guidance for a refresher on swim safety, tick bite prevention, sun safety, and mosquito bite prevention.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/public-health-updates-as-of-august-6-2026/

City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Health Alliance Cambridge Public School District (Official Site) Cambridge Council on Aging

08/04/2026

No matter the season or weather, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburns, premature aging (wrinkles, sagging, hyperpigmentation, age spots), eye problems, and most skin cancers. In the US, skin cancer is the most common cancer. While people with lighter skin color may be more at risk, people with darker skin tones can also get skin cancer.

Keep your skin healthy and youthful:

- Put on sunscreen
- Apply lip balm with sunscreen in it
- Wear sunglasses
- Wear a hat and clothing that covers the skin
- Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds
- Do skin checks regularly

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/keep-your-skin-healthy-and-youthful/

Cambridge Office of Early Childhood The Gardner School of Cambridge City of Cambridge (Official) Campus Child Care, Inc. Agenda for Children Let's Talk Cambridge CHA Sante Se Lavi CHA Salud es Vida CHA Saúde American Academy of Dermatology The Skin Cancer Foundation Cambridge Senior Center

07/31/2026

Have you seen the StoryWalk at Russell Field near Rindge Ave? The "Whole Whale" story is up near the McCrehan Memorial Pool and will be there until August 16. A StoryWalk is a children's book hung page by page around a park. Families are encouraged to read, walk, and talk together. It's a great place to have fun and cool off!

Let's Talk Cambridge Agenda for Children OST Cambridge Office of Early Childhood Let's Talk Cambridge

07/30/2026

Mark your calendars: On Tuesday August 11, we will be handing out free Narcan, test strips, CPR face shields, and other harm reduction materials at the Central Square Branch of the Cambridge Public Library. The event will be 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

For any questions about these events or to learn more about Narcan availability and overdose prevention training in Cambridge, please reach out to Danielle McPeak ([email protected]).

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/events/narcan-distribution-event-11/

City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction Cambridge Council on Aging Cambridge MA Fire Department Find It Cambridge

07/29/2026

If you remember the joy of back to school shopping in the 90s, it's a good time to remember if you are up to date on all your vaccines. Bonus is you can keep the printed records in your old Trapper Keeper!

https://buff.ly/jr54E9E