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The Health Division is now on Instagram! Follow the Concord Health Division Instagram page for health information, updates and upcoming events: Public Health Division Instagram
Measles: What You Need to Know
On February 27, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the first two confirmed Measles cases in Massachusetts this year. This follows a large measles outbreak occurring across the United States and globally.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious illness. Up to 30% of people infected may experience complications, including:
- Immune suppression
- Pneumonia
- Diarrhea
- Life-threatening inflammation of the brain (Encephalitis)
The best way to protect yourself and others from Measles is vaccination with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine.
Symptoms of Measles:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Fever
- A rash that begins on the head and spreads downward
To read the full press release: DPH Press Release 2.27.26
For more Measles, visit: Measles | Mass.gov
Influenza: What You Need to Know
Influenza (flu) cases are on the rise in Massachusetts. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Symptoms can include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and congestion, and usually appear 1–4 days after infection.
- The flu is commonly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when people cough, sneeze, or talk.
- People infected with the flu virus can spread it 1 day before symptoms begin and up to 5–7 days after becoming sick.
- Flu vaccination can help prevent severe illness.
- Getting vaccinated is especially important for those at higher risk of severe illness, including young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions, and adults age 65 and older.
Most importantly, stay home from work or school if you feel sick to help prevent spreading the flu to others.
It’s not too late to get your flu shot! Flu vaccines are available at your local pharmacy and are covered by most insurance carriers. To arrange homebound vaccination, please contact the Concord Health Division at (978) 318-3275.
To learn more information click here.
- Prevent Tick Bites: Use EPA-registered repellents. Check yourself, your child, and pets for ticks once a day; if you find one attached, remove it promptly using fine tweezers or a tick removal tool. For more, see mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks
- Prevent Mosquito Bites: Eliminate standing water around your home, repair window and door screens, and use appropriate insect repellents. Stay up to date on local risk.
-Public Health Nurse Highlights-
Respiratory Virus Guidance
COVID-19 remains an important public health threat, but it is no longer the emergency that it once was, and its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and RSV. CDC has issued updated Respiratory Virus Guidance that provides the public with recommendations and information about effective steps and strategies tailored to the current level of risk posed by COVID-19 and other common respiratory viral illnesses. The updated guidance emphasizes the importance of staying home and away from others when sick from respiratory viruses, regardless of the virus, as well as additional preventive actions.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has reviewed CDC's recent guidance and updated its recommendations for the general public to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, accessible here: Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov.
To learn more about CDC’s updated guidance for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, see the following:
In-Home Influenza ("Flu") and COVID-19 Vaccination for Homebound Residents
Please call the Concord Health Division at (978) 318-3275 to facilitate homebound vaccination.
Sharps/Needle Disposal
Do not place in trash. Residents can safely dispose of sharps in the SHARPS kiosk and unwanted medications in the MedReturn located in the front vestibule of the Concord Police Station (219 Walden Street). These bins are available 24-hour a day for safe disposal of medical syringes, sharps, and lancets. Package in sharps containers or other rigid, puncture-free containers (such as sealed coffee cans or capped plastic soda bottles) PRIOR TO DROP OFF. See MassDEP Home Medical Waste page for more information.
Community members who utilize the kiosk are asked to follow several safety regulations:
- All sharps MUST be disposed of in a sharps container or puncture-resistant container like a one gallon bleach bottle or a one-pound sealed, taped coffee can.
- DO NOT put loose needles in the kiosk.
- DO NOT use a glass container or a bag of any type.
- DO NOT leave a container outside of the kiosk.
- Always ask for assistance if kiosk is full.
Blood Pressure Clinic
Hosted by the Concord Council on Aging
Wednesdays, 10am-12pm. For ages 60+, no appointment required.
Physical Address: Harvey Wheeler Comm. Center. 1276 Main Street. Phone Number: 978-318-3020
More Information: Council on Aging/Senior Services | Concord, MA (concordma.gov)
Search & Connect to Local Support
Use the link below to search and connect to local support. Find information about financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost services.
https://emersonhealth.findhelp.com/
Narcan Available in Concord
The Town of Concord participates in the Community Naloxone Program, making Narcan available to the community (residents and non-residents), free of charge.
The Concord Health Division invites and encourages but does not require those seeking Narcan to meet with the town’s public health nurse for support with how to use Narcan, to review what resources are available to you or your loved ones, or to discuss related questions or concerns.
Individual, small or large group training available upon request. Provided by the Public Health Nurse and our regional collaborative, Great Meadows Public Health Collaborative. Please reach out to healthdepartment@concordma.gov to request training.
You can find Narcan at:
- 2nd floor of 141 Keyes Rd, outside of the Health Division Office
- Main Library, 129 Main St
- Fowler Library, 1322 Main St
See "Substance Use Resources" section below for links to more resources and information.
Join Our Local Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. In Massachusetts, the MRC network is comprised of 35 units. Each unit is organized to best suit the unique challenges of its area. In all cases, MRC units are local assets and are deployed at the discretion of local MRC unit protocols. Every MRC unit is led by a local MRC Unit Coordinator, who matches local volunteer capabilities and schedules with local needs for both emergency responses and public health initiatives.
Currently, there are over 8,000 credentialed volunteers across the Massachusetts MRC network. These volunteers are both clinical and non-clinical. Massachusetts MRC units are currently providing local responses to COVID-19 in their communities for activities ranging from supporting testing sites, vaccination clinics, contact tracing, providing wellness checks and support services in local communities, among other tasks that arise.
Central Middlesex Medical Reserve Corps (CMMRC)
CMMRC serves the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Winchester, and Woburn.
The Central Middlesex MRC is part of the national Medical Reserve Corps network of volunteers. The national MRC network comprises 989 community-based units and almost 200,000 volunteers located throughout the United States and its territories. MRC volunteers include both medical and public health professionals and community members with non-medical, but equally valuable, backgrounds. For more information and how to join us...