Get Vaccinated Berkshires

GetVaccinatedBerkshires is a collaborative effort of the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative. This website is intended to be a “one stop shop” for vaccine-related information and clinic sign-ups.

Addressing Vaccines and Autism

The claim that vaccines (particularly those in childhood) or vaccine components such as thimerosal cause autism has circulated for years. However, the abundance of research on this topic has led to the science-based conclusion to reject this claim. DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein MD, MPH, rebuked the recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website regarding vaccines and autism which say otherwise. The excerpt below is from the DPH press release responding to this matter; the full press release can be found here.

"Vaccines do not cause autism, and there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. This has been proven repeatedly through decades of rigorous, high-quality research involving millions of children worldwide. The evidence is clear, consistent, and overwhelming.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) rejects the assertion posted Nov. 19, 2025 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website which suggests that the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based or that studies have failed to rule out a connection between childhood vaccines and autism. Such claims are factually incorrect and deliberately misleading. They contradict the global scientific consensus and undermine public confidence in vaccines. Vaccines are one of the most effective and life-saving interventions in the history of medicine and public health."

Influenza (Flu)

The flu is one of the most common infectious diseases we continue to fight. It rapidly mutates and can easily spread between people before they realize they are infected. Symptoms of the flu can be burdensome and include coughing and sore throat, congestion, muscle aches, headaches, and fever. Not everyone will experience symptoms equally, and most people recover from the flu after about two weeks. However, some cases go on for a prolonged period, resulting in long-term complications such as sinus and ear infections or pneumonia.

The flu vaccine is recommended yearly to everyone over the age of 6 months.

Everyone is susceptible to the flu, but it can impact people with pre-existing health conditions much more than those without. People with chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, or people who are immunocompromised can experience stronger flu symptoms and are at higher risk of developing complications resulting from the flu.

The best ways to prevent the flu are as follows:

1) Get vaccinated every year.

2) Practice good hygiene. Make sure to regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing, and avoid touching your face, especially when in public places.

3) Limit contact with sick people. Close contact with people who are already infected (whether or not they are showing symptoms) puts you at risk of getting sick yourself. Crowded places lead to a higher chance of catching an infection. Remember: You can spread sickness just as easily as you can catch it. Consider avoiding crowded places if you are already sick.