PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Public Health Department will begin offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosters to eligible individuals this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a booster dose last Thursday for certain populations. The CDC also recommended a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shot for anyone 18 and older who received their Johnson & Johnson shot at least two months ago.
The CDC also allowed mix-and-match boosters, meaning that if someone is eligible for the booster shot of the vaccine they originally received, they may get any of the boosters. For example, if it has been at least six months since someone received the two-dose Pfizer vaccine and they meet the age, health or working/living requirements, they may get the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine boosters. If someone received the Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, they may get any of the available and authorized boosters.
These developments are another step in improving community immunity to the COVID-19 virus. While case numbers are decreasing in Chatham County and across North Carolina, hundreds of people are still testing positive daily and nearly 1,700 North Carolinians remain hospitalized due to COVID-19.
“There are many options to get a COVID-19 booster shot in Chatham, and more locations will be offering boosters in the coming days,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “Booster doses are especially important for older adults and those with underlying health conditions.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized booster shots for all three COVID-19 vaccines.
Individuals who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a booster dose if:
• They completed the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago and they fall into one of the following categories: 65 years of age or older; are 18-64 years of age and: live in a long-term care setting; have an underlying medical condition that makes you at risk for severe COVID-19 illness; work in a higher-risk setting like healthcare, schools, manufacturing, meat processing or grocery stores; live in a high-risk setting like a correctional facility or homeless shelter.
Individuals are eligible for the Johnson & Johnson booster if they are 18 years or older and received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago.
Booster doses are used to increase immune response to protect against COVID-19, including new variants like the Delta variant. All three vaccines continue to be effective against COVID-19.
Those who received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose.
The Moderna booster is half of the dose that is given for a primary series dose. The Pfizer and J&J booster doses are the same as the primary doses. When you go to get the vaccine, please let the provider know you are getting a booster shot.
If you have any questions about whether or not you should get a booster shot, please talk to your doctor or medical provider.
You do not need to get the booster shot from the same location or provider where you received your first doses. You may get a booster shot from any COVID-19 vaccine provider offering boosters.
Many locations around Chatham County offer the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster shots. Visit www.vaccines.gov for a full list of options. Please call ahead to confirm availability.
The Chatham County Public Health Department will offer Moderna COVID-19 boosters at the Siler City clinic (1000 S. 10th Ave, Siler City) Wednesdays 12:30-4:30pm and Fridays 8:30am-4:30pm. Given the high demand, appointments are strongly preferred. To schedule an appointment, please call 919-545-8323. There will not be a drive-thru booster clinic at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, and those who received the vaccine at the drive-thru clinic earlier this year are encouraged to consider all local options for their booster dose.
While the authorization of booster shots for those who are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 is a significant step, there are still many who have not received their first vaccine.
According to the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services, 41,189 Chatham County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 39,155 residents have been fully vaccinated. This makes up only 55% and 53%, respectively, of the county’s population. Additionally, 65% of adults and 63% of all individuals ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccination data for North Carolina can be seen at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations.
“Most importantly, it is critical that those who are eligible and remain unvaccinated get their first dose,” added Zelek.
Those who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or testing can call the CCPHD COVID-19 Vaccine Infoline at 919-545-8323. More information on COVID-19 boosters will be shared and updated at www.chathamcountync.gov/boosters.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and the CCPHD’s vaccination plans, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/coronavirusvaccine. To learn more about the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/publichealth or www.facebook.com/chathamhealth.