Cambridge Public Health Department

03/27/2026

The City of Cambridge (Official) is hosting a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic for dogs on Saturday, April 4 from 9-11 a.m. behind the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (Official)

This event is open to all. Cost is $15 per dog. Cash or checks only will be accepted.

Additionally, annual dog licenses will be available for Cambridge residents. The cost of a dog license is $20 for Spayed/Neutered Dogs and $30 for Unspayed/Unneutered Dogs.

https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=dc44830b00b24baababe97bb5cee55d1

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03/27/2026

Join us for a three-part series on Black men’s mental health! Thursdays, April 2, 16, and 30 at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The sessions will be held at Elks Lodge, 55 Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge. Refreshments will be provided.

The series will be facilitated by Dr. Kwame Dance, who is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist Director of Behavioral Health Services at Cambridge Community Center.

For more information, contact Richard Harding at rharding@challiance.org.

The events done in partnership with Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge Police Department, and Cambridge Community Center.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/events/mens-mental-health-series/

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03/25/2026

Here are the Public Health Updates as of 3/25/2026:

A US District Court for the District of MA ruling blocked several RFK Jr. appointees to ACIP and invalidated votes that ACIP had taken to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccinations. CPHD’s Medical Director, Dr. Linda Shipton, an infectious disease specialist, noted the importance of evidence-based decision making in healthcare and called the ruling “a win for public health, families, and communities.”

The state's health department announced that alpha-gal syndrome, also known as the "red meat allergy," is now reportable by healthcare providers and labs.

Tracy Rose-Tynes, MS, RN, who most recently served as CPHD's Senior Director of Clinical Services prior to her retirement after a 32-year tenure, has returned to assume the role of Interim Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Cambridge.

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is commemorated annually on March 24. DYK that CHA’s TB clinic is part of the CPHD and partners with the MA Department of Public Health to provide comprehensive TB care? We are the second largest provider of TB services in the Commonwealth!

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a clinical advisory recommending that RSV monoclonal antibody immunizations continue to be administered to eligible infants through April 30, 2026, in response to ongoing RSV activity.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/public-health-updates-as-of-3-25-2026/

A US District Court for the District of MA ruling blocked several RFK, Jr. appointees to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

03/25/2026

There's still time to apply for our 2026 Health Promotion Mini-Grants! The Health Promotion Mini-Grant Program will award up to $20,000 in total funding in spring 2026. The application deadline is April 3, 2026.

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: $1,000 mini-grants are available for projects that promote healthy eating and/or physical activity in children and adults. Up to ten projects will be funded.

Youth Wellness: $2,000 mini-grants are available for projects that promote mental health and wellness in Cambridge youth, with a focus on youth age 12-18. Up to five projects will be funded.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/mini-grants/

Hideo Sasaki Foundation Cambridge Health Alliance City of Cambridge (Official)

03/24/2026

Today is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day.

Did you know Cambridge Health Alliance TB clinic is part of the health department and partners with the MA Department of Public Health to provide comprehensive TB care? We are the second largest provider of TB services in the Commonwealth.

https://www.challiance.org/services-programs/specialty-care/infectious-disease

Protect yourself from TB: Preventive treatment keeps you healthy and TB-free!

If you are a close contact of a TB patient or belong to a high-risk group such as people who are undernourished or have a weakened immune system including those with HIV or diabetes:
- get tested for infection
- complete your full course of preventive treatment to protect yourself from getting sick with TB

Yes! We can end TB.
Led by countries. Powered by people.

Stay informed. Stay well. Follow WHO.

🔗 https://bit.ly/41lMDz9

03/24/2026

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced proactive steps to monitor for and raise awareness of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) by making cases reportable to the MDPH by healthcare providers and laboratories.

AGS is also known as the red meat allergy. In some people, a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an allergic reaction to the alpha-gal molecule that is present in mammalian meat and dairy products. AGS can be a serious, even life-threatening allergic condition.

It's important to take steps to reduce chances of being bitten by any tick. These include using tick repellents and after outside, doing tick checks and taking a shower.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-takes-steps-to-monitor-and-track-alpha-gal-syndrome-ags/

03/20/2026

It's World Oral Health Day. 🦷

Our Oral Health Division delivers programs and participate in community events to promote oral health. They administer the Cambridge Healthy Smiles Program, an oral health education program in the Cambridge Public School District (Official Site). Cambridge Healthy Smiles prepares students to care for their teeth for a lifetime.

Learn more: https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/divisions/oral-health/

You can follow them on Instagram:

Cambridge Office of Early Childhood Cambridge Senior Center City of Cambridge (Official) Cambridge Health Alliance

Today is World Oral Health Day

The 4 most common oral health conditions are:
🦷 tooth decay
🦷 gum disease
🦷 tooth loss
🦷 oral cancers

Fortunately, most cases are preventable and can be treated in their early stages.

03/20/2026

Eid Mubarak! Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, joyful, and blessed Eid al-Fitr.

03/19/2026

Looking for a way to throw out old expired, unused medications safely in your own home? 💊🏠 We have free medication deactivation and disposal pouches for Cambridge residents. Simply place the medications inside, fill with water, seal the pouch, shake it gently, and then throw it away in the trash. This makes the medication non-reusable and prevents harmful medications from contaminating landfills and water systems.

Pouches can be picked up at our office at 119 Windsor Street upon request (email Danielle McPeak at dmcpeak@cambridgepublichealth.org) or can be collected at Medication Takeback events. The next event is April 27 at the Cambridge Senior Center.



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03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️🍀
Wishing you a day of good luck and health!

☘️

03/16/2026

It's the perfect time for spring cleaning 🌸 🫧🧹 of old medications and vitamins! 💊 Our next Medication Takeback Day is on April 27 from 1-3 p.m. at the Cambridge Senior Center in Central Square at 806 Mass Ave. Rather than throwing old meds in the trash 🗑️ or flushing 🚽 them, let us help you get rid of them!

Bring unwanted or unused prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and vitamins. Sharps, liquids, and creams/ointments will NOT be accepted. 🚫

The event is by us, Cambridge Police Department, and the Cambridge Council on Aging.

https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/events/medication-takeback-day-8/

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03/12/2026

There’s a new sharps disposal drop box in Cambridge! It’s at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority - MBTA bus stop at Rindge Avenue @ Russell Field.

The new drop box is to help make it easier for residents to dispose of their sharps safely and help curb sharps left in public spaces. In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to dispose of needles, syringes, or lancets in the regular trash due to safety concerns.

This sharps drop box was funded by City of Cambridge (Official) Participatory Budgeting, meaning it was voted by Cambridge residents. Make sure to vote for the next round which is going on until March 15!

There are also drop boxes including outside Cambridge MA Fire Department Porter Square Fire House, Cambridge Health Alliance Windsor Street Care Center at 119 Windsor Street, and Cambridge Police Department at 125 Sixth Street. When using a drop box, remember to put sharps in a quart-sized plastic container and not deposit loose needles.

Learn more: https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/dispose-of-needles-and-syringes-safely/

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