Public Health Vending Machines

The City of Somerville Public Health Vending Machines can be found in the following locations:

• West Branch Library (40 College Ave, Somerville)
• Project Soup (165 Broadway, Somerville)

Free public health resources: 

These kiosks and the public health supplies they provide are available for free and at no cost to Somerville residents. These products are paid for by the Opioid Abatement Fund to meet the needs identified by the City’s “Community Experiences with Opioids and Other Substances: Insights and Recommendations” 2023/2024 study, also funded by state Opioid Abatement Funds.

Download our flyer about our free public health vending machines. 

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In the Community Experiences Study, Somerville residents identified public health vending machines as a way to improve access to health products, tests, and harm reduction materials. Many of these supplies have been available through city departments but can be difficult to access outside of business hours. Many Somerville residents favored the vending machine for its 24/7 availability and the discrete and fast access it provides to these life sustaining products.

Funded in part by Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, funded by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and powered by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a health kiosk?
A: A health kiosk is like a vending machine for health. It gives people 24/7 access to free or low-cost health and safety supplies, such as hygiene items, Naloxone (Narcan), or seasonal items like hats and gloves. It is private, easy to use, and helps people get what they need right away.

Q: What can people get from the kiosks?
A: Items vary by community needs and season. Examples include:

• Personal Care: pads, tampons, toothbrushes, diapers, body wipes
• Overdose Safety: Narcan, fentanyl/xylazine test strips, safe use kits, wound care items, sharps containers
• Sexual & Reproductive Health: condoms, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception
• Seasonal & Safety: hats, gloves, blankets, sunscreen, bug spray, first-aid kits, pain relievers, water/electrolyte packs

Q: How do kiosks help prevent overdoses and how should Narcan and test strips be used?
A: Kiosks provide free Narcan and test strips to reduce overdose risk:

• Narcan: Reverses opioid overdoses; comes as a nasal spray. Safe even if the person is not overdosing. Kiosks have a “Narcan Override” for emergencies. Always call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.
• Test strips: Fentanyl and xylazine test strips let people check drugs for dangerous substances. Narcan reverses opioid overdoses like fentanyl but not xylazine. Because drugs may be mixed, it is safe to give Narcan if an overdose is suspected.

Remember: Overdose is a medical emergency. Test strips reduce risk, Narcan can save lives, and calling 911 is always important.

Q: Who uses the kiosks and how were locations chosen?
A: Kiosks serve young people, parents, seniors, unhoused individuals, people who use drugs, and others facing barriers like cost, stigma, or health provider hours. Locations were selected using multiple factors to reach communities most in need:

• Community survey results and feedback
• Concentration of social and health services
• Overdose and public health data
• High foot-traffic areas
• Well-lit, safe public areas
• Nearby trash receptacles to support cleanliness
• Proximity to public transportation
• Co-location with outdoor sharps disposal kiosks

This ensures kiosks are accessible, equitable, and responsive to local needs.

Q: Are kiosks accessible for people with different abilities and languages?

A: Yes. Kiosks meet ADA requirements and are designed for people with different abilities. Features include:

• Screen at an accessible height
• Braille for visually impaired users
• Audio instructions for headphone use
• Interface available in six common Somerville languages (option for up to 21 languages)
• Exterior wrap translated in Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Nepali, and Spanish

Q: Will my child be able to access these items at the kiosk?
A: Some items in the kiosk have age restrictions to ensure safety.

• If a user enters an ineligible birth date for a product, it will not be dispensed.
• Items like condoms or basic hygiene products (pads, tampons, toothbrushes) are available to all users.
• The kiosk does not share personal information with parents or schools.

Tip for parents: You can talk with your child about these products and help them make safe choices. The kiosk provides evidence-based information and offers local resources and crisis helplines.

Q: Do kiosks collect personal information?
A: No names or addresses are collected. Users may optionally answer questions about age, race, gender, or residency. Some items, like emergency contraception and safe use kits, require users to enter their date of birth to ensure safe dispensing and comply with local and state regulations. All data is stored securely and shared only in aggregate with the City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department to improve services.

Q: Can kiosks be customized and are they sustainable?
A: Yes. This is a pilot program, meaning we are testing the entire kiosk initiative and will adjust products, locations, safety features, and other aspects as needed. Products are chosen based on local public health data and community feedback. The program is funded by State Opioid Abatement Funds at no cost to residents. It is a cost-effective and sustainable model, offering no-cost supplies and culturally and linguistically competent services.

Q: How will the pilot program be evaluated and updated?
A: The City will track product usage, community feedback, and safety concerns. This information will help adjust kiosk locations, products, safety features, and hours of access to better serve the community.

Q: How do kiosks benefit the community?
A: Kiosks increase access to preventive care, harm reduction tools, and essential health supplies outside normal health provider hours. They help reduce overdoses, improve quality of life for people not connected to services, prevent the spread of infectious diseases, reduce ER visits for non-emergencies, and provide data to guide local programs. They also build trust, reduce stigma, and promote equity in health access.

Q: How are kiosks restocked, and what help, or feedback is available?
A: Kiosks are restocked regularly by the vendor using real-time inventory tracking. For immediate technical help, a 24/7 support number is available on the screen. For questions about products or to provide feedback, community members can contact the City of Somerville Health and Human Services Prevention Services Division at tlos@somervillema.gov

Q: How are kiosks cleaned and maintained?
A: The vendor regularly cleans and services kiosks to keep them safe and hygienic. HHS staff routinely check for cleanliness and remove any trash around the kiosk as needed.

Q: What has the community response been elsewhere?
A: Community feedback from other cities like Dorchester and Roxbury shows strong support, with increased access to health supplies and positive responses from residents and harm reduction partners. 

Parents & Guardians: What You Should Know About the Health Kiosks

• Safety for Youth: Some products in the kiosk have age restrictions to ensure safety, including emergency contraception and safe drug use kits. Basic hygiene items like pads, tampons, and toothbrushes are available to all ages.
• Age Verification: The kiosk checks the user’s date of birth for age-restricted items. If an ineligible date is entered and then immediately corrected to access a restricted product, the kiosk will temporarily lock to prevent attempts to bypass restrictions.
• Privacy: The kiosk does not share personal information with parents, schools, or any outside party. Users remain fully anonymous.
• Evidence-Based Support: The kiosk provides accurate, medically reviewed information and connects users to local resources and crisis helplines.
• Parent Guidance: Talking with your child about these products can help them make informed, safe choices. The kiosk is a tool to support health, safety, and harm reduction, complementing guidance from parents and caregivers.