The Boston Public Health Commission, in partnership with the City of Boston and Boston Centers for Youth and Families, are hosting several free flu and COVID vaccine clinics across the city.

Health officials are urging all Boston residents ages 6 months and older to get vaccinated for flu and COVID ahead of the peak of respiratory virus season.

Vaccines are especially recommended for residents who are ages 65 and older, at high risk for severe COVID, or have never received a COVID vaccine.

The dates and locations of the free vaccine clinics are: Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., City Hall Room 801; Oct. 24, 1 to 5 p.m., City Hall Room 115; Oct. 29, 3 to 7 p.m., BCYF Hyde Park Community Center; Nov. 2, 12 to 4 p.m., BCYF Mattahunt Community Center; Nov. 4, 4 to 8 p.m., BCYF Paris Street Community Center; and Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., BCYF Curley Community Center.

More dates and locations will be added, and residents can visit boston.gov/respiratory-protection for the latest information and additional resources.

Cardinal O’Malley authorizes hurricane relief collection

In response to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Cardinal Sean O’Malley is asking the parishes of the Archdiocese to step forward with a special collection to help those in need.

Contributions will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA, which is the official domestic disaster relief agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S.

CCUSA is providing immediate disaster relief with necessities such as water, hygiene kits, diapers, and blankets among many other items.

Pastors are encouraged to hold a collection over any weekend between Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 23-24, prior to Thanksgiving. Parishioners are asked to address their checks to their parish, with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo. All funds raised will be forwarded to CCUSA by the Archdiocese of Boston.