Second Booster Dose Recommended for People age 50 and older & Severely Immunocompromised:
The CDC updated recommendations for COVID-19 booster shots this week following the FDA’s authorization of a second booster dose of Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines. The CDC recommends a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.
- People age 50 and older – A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is recommended for individuals 50 years of age and older who received their first booster at least 4 months earlier. Either a Pfizer or Moderna booster can be administered for the second booster.
- Severely Immunocompromised – A second booster dose of mRNA vaccine is recommended for individuals 12 years of age and older who have certain kinds of immunocompromising conditions and who received their first booster at least 4 months earlier. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. (Pfizer vaccine can be given to people age 12 and older. Moderna vaccine can be given to people age 18 and older.)
The Union County Health Department is administering second booster doses by appointment. Please call (937) 642-2053 to book an appointment in our nursing clinic. Please bring your vaccination record and a photo ID. We do not require physician verification of immunocompromise status. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Walk-ins welcomed as resources allow. Appointment strongly recommended for fastest service. We cannot administer a second dose sooner than 4 months after a first booster. No exceptions can be made. Second boosters can be received any time after 4 months from the first booster dose (no maximum interval).
Second booster doses are also available at many local retail pharmacies including Meijer, CVS & Kroger in Marysville. Please call or visit their website for details.
COVID Vaccination Efforts Continue: The Union County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment through our regular nursing clinics. Appointments can be made by calling (937) 642-2053. We offer the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 and older. A parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor. Boosters and primary COVID vaccination series are offered. There is no cost for COVID vaccination. Please bring to your appointment a photo ID, and if this is not your first dose, your COVID vaccination record card.
Low Community Level of COVID-19: COVID-19 disease activity remains low in Union County as demonstrated. Cases of severe illness and impact on hospitals are low (as measured by COVID related hospital admissions). Reported new cases are also very low (approximately 24 new cases reported in the past 7 days). At this low level of COVID-19 disease activity, we recommend residents stay up-to-date on COVID vaccinations and boosters, ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces, and continue to follow CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines if you have COVID are exposed to someone with COVID. If you are immunocompromised or concerned about COVID, we recommend having a plan for rapid testing and talk to your doctor about COVID therapeutics if they were to be needed.
New Isolation & Quarantine Calculator: If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you can use the new CDC calculator to help you figure out how long to stay home, wear a mask and take other preventative actions to protected your loved ones, friends and co-workers.
Home Test Kits Available: The Union County Health Department has free at-home COVID test kits available for pickup. Please reserve a kit online or call (937) 642-2053 to reserve a test kit. Test kits can be picked up in our lobby Monday-Friday from 8a-4p (closed holidays). Test kits are at-home rapid antigen tests that provide results in 15 minutes. Free tests are also available at the Marysville Public Library and the Richwood Library. Please call the library for more information.