Spiking levels of COVID-19 in parts of the country are being attributed in part to people staying inside for warmth due to cold weather. That in mind and close quarters holiday events forthcoming, Surry County Health and Nutrition Center are reminding that vaccine boosters against the virus are free and available now.
Everyone ages 16 years and older can now get a booster dose of the COVID vaccine. Vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time at preventing infection, especially in people aged 65 and older.
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID.
“Health experts predict that once omicron is in a community, it will be nearly impossible to contain, making vaccines and boosters essential in protecting people from severe illness,” the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release.
Recent evidence shows that among some frontline workers, vaccine effectiveness against the virus is decreasing over time. This is due to a combination of lessening protection since time of vaccination, as well as the greater infectiousness of newer variants.
CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, “Although we don’t have all the answers on the Omicron variant, initial data suggests that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen the protection against Omicron and other variants. We know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) have approved booster doses for the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Booster doses strengthen and extend protections against severe illness from COVID. At this time, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17.
Surry County Health and Nutrition Center offers Moderna (ages 18+) and Pfizer (ages 16+) booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccination for those who received their second shot at least 6 months ago. They will offer Johnson & Johnson booster doses for those individuals ages 18 and older who were vaccinated at least two months ago with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible to receive their choice of brand for their booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster.
The CDC announced Thursday a new preference for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines over Johnson & Johnson. They went on to state, “Given the current state of the pandemic both here and around the world, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reaffirmed that receiving any vaccine is better than being unvaccinated.”
Surry County Health and Nutrition Center will offer booster doses Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm. Call 336-401-8400 to schedule an appointment, walk-ins will be accepted. Identification will be needed if you cannot provide your vaccination card. Residents are urged to not let losing their card keep them from getting a booster shot.
For more information, please call us at (336) 401-8400 or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SurryCountyHealthandNutritionCenter/ for the latest updates.
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com
Be First to Comment