The Washtenaw County Health Department announced on Sept. 29 that COVID-19 booster shots are now available to certain individuals.

Currently, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is fully approved and recommended as a booster shot for certain higher-risk individuals who received Pfizer as their initial COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

To be eligible, at least six months must have passed since a second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Individuals must also be at increased risk of severe illness or exposure because of age, underlying health conditions, employment, or living in an institutional setting, such as a long-term care facility. 

Expanded drive-through COVID-19 clinics will be held at 555 Towner St., from Oct. 5 to Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, as well as two Saturday’s on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk-in vaccination is available if needed at the clinics, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Patients are asked to bring in their vaccination card and identification.

“We have prioritized making COVID vaccination as easy as possible, but also want to remind everyone that vaccination is now widely available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies,“ Jimena Loveluck, MSW, health officer with the Washtenaw Health Department, said in a press release. "We continue to use multiple strategies to ensure equitable access to vaccine and booster doses. Please get vaccinated or boosted wherever is most accessible for you.”

Local transmission of COVID-19 are currently high according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker. 

COVID activity has been trending up since late summer, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Washtenaw County is reporting approximately 60-80 cases per day, a test positivity of about 4%, and increased hospitalizations and deaths.

The COVID-19 vaccine is meant to prevent serious illness or death, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. The majority of hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among unvaccinated individuals.

“Vaccination remains our best protection against severe COVID illness and death,” Loveluck said.

Those who wonder if they are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot can find more information at www.cdc.gov.

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