Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics, rapid tests being offered at Boston’s First Night festivities

BOSTON — We are just one night away from New Year’s Eve, and now some cities and towns are making last-minute changes to first-night festivities due to rising COVID cases.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu held a news conference Thursday morning to discuss some of the things Boston will be doing to make sure people can ring in a healthy new year. First Night is still going on, but there are some changes. Nearly all indoor events, such as performances, will be moved outdoors. Organizers of First Night Boston are closely following the COVID guidelines set by the city. Even while outdoors, people will be encouraged to wear masks when they are in large crowds.

During the press conference, Mayor Wu announced that there will be two walk-in COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinics available for people attending First Night Boston.

Copley Square near the BosTix booth, from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m., will offer children and adults the opportunity to get their COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot thanks to a partnership with Whittier Street Health Center.

After the firework celebration ends, the vaccination and booster shots will resume until 11 p.m. inside the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square through Boston Emergency Medical Services and the Boston Public Health Commission.

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Last year, the pandemic forced First Night Boston to be held virtually. That was the first time the indoor and outdoor festivities had to be canceled since the event started in 1975. The town of Rockport just canceled its New Year’s Eve celebration because of rising COVID cases.

For those planning on going to a party tomorrow night, Dr. Anthony Fauci is cautioning you may want to rethink those plans, especially if they involve being among others who aren’t vaccinated.

“If you plan to go to a 40 to 50 person, New Year’s Eve party with all the bells, whistles, and everybody hugging, kissing, and wishing each other a Happy New Year, I would strongly recommend that this year we do not do that,” said Fauci, the nation’s director of infectious diseases.

With so many festivities being moved outside, fortunately for people attending, the weather will cooperate. The Boston 25 News weather team is predicting mild temperatures for this time of year, even staying well above freezing at midnight.

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