Hub health officials are again urging residents to get the updated COVID vaccine, as the city’s vaccination rates remain low four years after the start of the pandemic.
The Boston Public Health Commission is encouraging residents to stay up-to-date on their COVID boosters, especially those who are 65-plus or immunocompromised.
“Respiratory viral illnesses remain a public health threat, but we have tools to protect against severe illness,” said Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health and executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission.
“The most important is vaccination against COVID-19, flu, and RSV which is the best way to prevent hospitalization, protect ourselves and our communities, and to ensure that our health care resources won’t become overwhelmed as they have in the past,” Ojikutu added.
BPHC reported that 20% of people in Boston have received an updated COVID vaccine since last July. Also, about 40% of city residents have received a flu vaccine.
“It is particularly important for people aged 65 and older or immunocompromised to receive updated vaccine doses this spring,” BPHC said in a statement. “They should get vaccinated if it’s been more than four months since their last vaccination or three months after having COVID-19.”
This renewed vaccination push comes in the wake of the CDC releasing updated recommendations on how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses — including COVID, the flu and RSV.
The updated recommendations are to stay home until your symptoms improve and it has been 24 hours since you had a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication. Once returning to normal activities, people should continue to take additional precautions for the next five days, including wearing a well-fitted mask.
These updates come following a decrease in rates of hospitalization and death associated with respiratory illness, and more specifically COVID.
“It is important to keep in mind that people can still spread viruses even when feeling better,” BPHC said. “Taking enhanced precautions, including wearing a mask in public when sick, are especially important for protecting those who are most at risk, including adults aged 60 and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant people, and people with chronic medical conditions.”
For the next few weeks, you might notice an additional service charge at some restaurants in Massachusetts in anticipation of international visitors who may not be accustomed to U.S. expectations around tipping.
At Union Straw in Foxboro, Massachusetts, customers will see a 20% service charge during the World Cup.
“Time is going to be very, very far, few and beyond for people when they’re trying to get to the stadium, with traffic and all that stuff. So we are going to implement a 20% service charge on all checks and hope to streamline those operations and save people 10 to 15 minutes,” said Craig Carreira, director of operations for Union Straw.
Right outside of Gillette stadium, at Patriot Place, Bar Louie and Davio’s are also planning to add a service charge during the World Cup.
The World Cup is underway, and the Haitian team made its way to Boston Thursday.
“That’s primarily how we do get paid, is through our tips,” said Christine Peterson, a bartender at Davio’s.
In Massachusetts, tipped workers earn $6.75 an hour. If they don’t earn enough in tips to reach $15 an hour, employers must make up the difference.
A 2024 ballot measure that aimed to raise the minimum wage gradually for tipped workers failed, in part, because many servers argued it would lower their overall compensation. So while tipping is largely expected in the U.S., it continues to be a topic of great debate.
“I don’t really like it. I like to tip somebody for their service, but there’s no incentive for the server to do well,” said Joan, a Rhode Island resident.
New signs and new grass are up at Gillette Stadium as the home of the Patriots hosts World Cup matches.
“All these restaurants are getting all this money with all these people coming here, and plus, they’re going to add another 20%,” said Susan, who was at Patriot Place Thursday. “That’s not right, not in my book.”
“I think it’s a good thing. They’re serving us, they should be able to get paid for their service. So I don’t mind,” said Mishi, a woman visiting from Haiti.
Under Massachusetts’ Consumer Protection Act, any mandatory charges or fees must be made known to the customer wherever prices are displayed on menus and bills.
Gillette Stadium, temporarily branded as Boston Stadium, is hosting seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from June 13 through July 9.
Watch CBS News
BOSTON (WHDH) – A minivan was involved in a rollover wreck on Church Street in Dorchester Thursday morning.
The vehicle ended up on its side against another car.
Several other vehicles on the street also appeared to be damaged from the crash.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Cleveland Police arrest 22-year-old in connection with deadly shooting of 20-year-old woman
Together Design & Build Earns a Place Among Austin’s Top Kitchen Remodelers Backed by 300+ Google 5-Star Reviews
College World Series Bracket Breakdown: How Alabama Baseball Matches Up in Omaha
Compost is all your garden needs to reach its max capacity
South Alabama pitcher Ryley Harrison transferring to Arizona | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com
Sanders announces merit raises for Arkansas state employees
Officials say sprinklers at California medical equipment warehouse didn’t work during blaze
Your Larimer County guide to the 2026 Colorado primary election
