PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Leaders at Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) held an informational webinar this week to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and show how the vaccines have been proven to be very effective.

Although cases in the Berkshires are still on the rise, the number of severe illnesses and hospitalizations are much lower than in earlier surges.

Berkshire Medical Center has 11 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, only two who were vaccinated.

The hospital system said overall vaccinated people make up only about 20% of hospitalizations. Most are seniors and their average age is 86. Meanwhile, the average age of unvaccinated patients in hospitals is much younger at just 52 years old.

BHS president and CEO David Phelps said the data clearly shows the vaccine does a good job preventing severe cases. He offered to work with any employers or community groups to help educate people about its benefits.

“If it’s useful for them to hear from someone other than their employer directly, we’d be happy to work to develop any kind of efficient mechanism to do that,” said Phelps during the webinar. “We’re willing to use our knowledge, our time, our energy to engage with as many of the employee groups as can be organized over the next month or two.”

BHS has three free vaccine sites throughout the county: Berkshire Health Urgent Care on East Street in Pittsfield, Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, and their testing center on Church Street in North Adams.