Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

09/11/2026

BUILD YOUR KIT!

Could your household manage for several days without power, water, or easy access to stores? Build or refresh an emergency kit with water, food, flashlights, batteries, medications, first-aid supplies, chargers, important documents, and items specific to your household. Add supplies gradually—preparedness does not have to happen all at once.

https://www.mass.gov/emergency-preparedness-month

Additional resources:
https://www.capecod.gov/Prepare
https://www.capecod.gov/flood-ready

09/09/2026

💉 Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinic

The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment is hosting a Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinic for Barnstable County employees and members of the public ages 12 and older.

📅 Monday, October 19
🕘 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Mary Pat Flynn Conference Room

Vaccines available include flu, high-dose flu, and COVID vaccines.

Preregistration is required.

Register here:
https://loom.ly/01kXq38

Flu and COVID vaccines are available for uninsured individuals. If you have insurance, please provide your insurance information when registering.

Protect yourself. Protect our community.

09/08/2026

Flood risk looks different across Cape Cod. Heavy rain, storm surge, coastal flooding, and flash flooding can affect roads, homes, businesses, and evacuation routes—even in places that may not seem especially vulnerable.

Know the flood risks where you live, work, and travel. Check your property’s flood risk and plan your route before an emergency.

Start with Barnstable County’s local flood resources:

https://www.capecod.gov/flood-ready

09/04/2026

We want Cape Cod to be ready when the next storm comes. That’s why we’re sharing preparedness reminders throughout September—and we hope you’ll share them, too.

One easy thing to do now: make sure you have more than one way to get emergency alerts. Don’t wait until a storm is on the way.

Learn more: https://loom.ly/PLUeC6s

County resources:
https://loom.ly/2jbhMSs
https://loom.ly/aK3P3NY

09/04/2026

🎒 As students across Cape Cod head back to school, it’s a good time for families to check in on routine vaccinations.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has shared updated vaccine guidance for children as federal recommendations continue to change. Staying up to date on recommended vaccines helps protect children from preventable illnesses and helps keep our schools and communities healthy.

Read the latest guidance from MDPH:
https://loom.ly/wRGooBM

And if you’re interested in what vaccination looks like closer to home, our Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment recently took a look at immunization rates here on Cape Cod — including where we’re doing well and where rates have declined:

https://loom.ly/AZLwX-g

09/04/2026

🦟 Summer may be winding down, but mosquito season isn’t.

West Nile virus continues to be detected in mosquitoes on Cape Cod, including another positive sample collected in Falmouth this week. Earlier this season, positive mosquito samples were also detected in Barnstable, Falmouth, Eastham, and Chatham.

And here’s an important reminder: the majority of mosquito-borne disease cases occur during August and September.

So even as we head toward fall, keep taking precautions:

✓ Use an EPA-registered insect repellent
✓ Cover up when practical
✓ Take extra precautions at dusk and after dark
✓ Dump standing water around your home
✓ Make sure window and door screens are in good repair

The Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project continues to monitor mosquito activity and respond to positive detections across the region.

Don’t put away the bug spray just yet, Cape Cod. 🦟

Learn more about West Nile virus, current risk levels, and how to protect yourself:
https://loom.ly/pKcofNs

09/03/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and we want to take a moment to talk about something that touches many families here on Cape Cod.

If you’re going through a hard time, you don’t have to face it alone. And if someone you care about seems to be struggling, reaching out can matter more than you might realize. A phone call, a check-in, an honest conversation, or simply taking the time to listen can make a real difference.

This month, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment and Department of Human Services are joining together to share information and resources to help all of us look out for ourselves, our friends, our families, and our neighbors.

You don’t need to have all the right words. Sometimes simply asking, “Are you okay?” is a good place to start.

If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 anytime. Free, confidential help is available 24/7.

Learn about warning signs, ways to help, and resources available here on Cape Cod: https://loom.ly/dILnakw

***dePreventionMonth

09/01/2026

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. On Cape Cod, being prepared means knowing how you’ll receive alerts, having a family emergency plan, and keeping supplies on hand before severe weather or another emergency happens.

Throughout September, Barnstable County Emergency Management and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension’s Coastal Processes – Flood & Erosion Program will share simple steps you can take now.

Start here: mass.gov/ready



FOR MORE RESOURCES:
https://www.capecod.gov/Prepare
https://www.capecod.gov/flood-ready

⬇️ PORTUGUÊS

Setembro é o Mês da Preparação para Emergências. Em Cape Cod, estar preparado significa saber como você receberá alertas, ter um plano de emergência familiar e manter suprimentos à mão antes que ocorram condições meteorológicas severas ou outra emergência.

Durante todo o mês de setembro, Barnstable County Emergency Management e o Coastal Processes – Flood & Erosion Program da Cape Cod Cooperative Extension compartilharão medidas simples que você pode tomar agora.

Comece aqui:
mass.gov/ready



MAIS RECURSOS:
capecod.gov/Prepare
capecod.gov/flood-ready

⬇️ ESPAÑOL

Septiembre es el Mes de Preparación para Emergencias. En Cape Cod, estar preparado significa saber cómo recibirás las alertas, tener un plan de emergencia familiar y contar con suministros a mano antes de que ocurra un fenómeno meteorológico severo u otra emergencia.

Durante todo septiembre, Barnstable County Emergency Management y el Coastal Processes – Flood & Erosion Program de Cape Cod Cooperative Extension compartirán medidas sencillas que puedes tomar ahora.

Comienza aquí:
mass.gov/ready



MÁS RECURSOS:
capecod.gov/Prepare
capecod.gov/flood-ready

08/31/2026

**ATTENTION!** Distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in Plymouth and Barnstable Counties will begin September 8th!

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, ORV baits will be distributed in select locations of Plymouth and Barnstable Counties. Plymouth, Wareham, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Lakeville, Middleborough, Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett, Bourne, & Sandwich will all receive baits.

These baits are meant to be distributed in areas where terrestrial rabies vectors (ie. raccoons, foxes, and coyotes) frequent, and away from areas where domestic animals and people are likely to find them. The baits are typically not harmful to people or pets, but if a bait is found, please call 877-722-6725 to report where it was located. Additionally, we ask that you obey your town’s leash law as every bait that is picked up and consumed by a dog is one that is considered a lost dose – a dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.

**ATTENTION!** Distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in Plymouth and Barnstable Counties will begin September 8th!

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, ORV baits will be distributed in select locations of Plymouth and Barnstable Counties. Plymouth, Wareham, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Lakeville, Middleborough, Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett, Bourne, & Sandwich will all receive baits.

These baits are meant to be distributed in areas where terrestrial rabies vectors (ie. raccoons, foxes, and coyotes) frequent, and away from areas where domestic animals and people are likely to find them. The baits are typically not harmful to people or pets, but if a bait is found, please call 877-722-6725 to report where it was located. Additionally, we ask that you obey your town’s leash law as every bait that is picked up and consumed by a dog is one that is considered a lost dose – a dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.

Thank you for your cooperation on this important project! Please follow the Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force page for the latest information about rabies in southeast Massachusetts!



Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment New England Wildlife Center Carver Animal Control Cape Wildlife Center Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative Bourne Department of Natural Resources Sandwich Animal Control Sandwich Natural Resources U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cape Cod Canal Town of Plymouth MA Animal Control and Shelter Plymouth Municipal Airport Kingston Animal Control/Shelter Wareham Animal Control Wareham Department of Natural Resources Plymouth County Middleborough Animal Shelter Adoptions Lakeville Ma Animal Shelter/ Lakeville Ma Animal Control Town of Marion, Massachusetts Town of Plymouth, MA Town of Mattapoisett

08/29/2026

**ATTENTION!** Distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in Plymouth and Barnstable Counties will begin September 8th!

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, ORV baits will be distributed in select locations of Plymouth and Barnstable Counties. Plymouth, Wareham, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Lakeville, Middleborough, Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett, Bourne, & Sandwich will all receive baits.

These baits are meant to be distributed in areas where terrestrial rabies vectors (ie. raccoons, foxes, and coyotes) frequent, and away from areas where domestic animals and people are likely to find them. The baits are typically not harmful to people or pets, but if a bait is found, please call 877-722-6725 to report where it was located. Additionally, we ask that you obey your town’s leash law as every bait that is picked up and consumed by a dog is one that is considered a lost dose – a dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.

Thank you for your cooperation on this important project! Please follow the Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force page for the latest information about rabies in southeast Massachusetts!



Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment New England Wildlife Center Carver Animal Control Cape Wildlife Center Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative Bourne Department of Natural Resources Sandwich Animal Control Sandwich Natural Resources U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cape Cod Canal Town of Plymouth MA Animal Control and Shelter Plymouth Municipal Airport Kingston Animal Control/Shelter Wareham Animal Control Wareham Department of Natural Resources Plymouth County Middleborough Animal Shelter Adoptions Lakeville Ma Animal Shelter/ Lakeville Ma Animal Control Town of Marion, Massachusetts Town of Plymouth, MA Town of Mattapoisett