Updated COVID-19 Boosters Now Available at Garrett County Health Department Clinics

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

The Garrett County Health Department has announced that it will begin offering the recently approved Moderna and Pfizer updated COVID-19 booster vaccines to persons aged 65 and older at their COVID vaccination clinics this week. 

The updated booster dose is a bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and protects against the newer Omicron variants that account for most of the current cases. The bivalent vaccine is approved for emergency use as a single booster following completion of the primary vaccine series (Moderna or Pfizer 2 shots, or a single Johnson and Johnson or Novavax), or a single booster if it has been at least 2 months since your most recent booster.

To stay up-to-date on vaccinations the CDC recommends an updated booster dose at least 2 months after an individual’s last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose, or since completing their primary series. The Pfizer updated booster shot is authorized for individuals 12 and older, and the Moderna updated booster shot is authorized for adults 18 and older. As new variants of the virus emerge, updated boosters are intended to provide optimal protection against COVID-19.

Vaccination:

• Garrett County Health Department Clinic (1025 Memorial Drive, Oakland) – Tuesday, Sept 13, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Schedule an appointment here: garretthealth.org/vax-updated/.
• Garrett County Health Department Clinic (28 Hershberger Lane, Grantsville) – Friday, Sept 16, 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Schedule an appointment here: garretthealth.org/vax-updated/.

Garrett County COVID-19 data for September 12:

• CDC COVID-19 Community Level: Medium
• Percent of Garrett County Population 5+ Fully Vaccinated: 54.5%
• Percent of Garrett County Population 65+ Fully Vaccinated: 81.7%
• Total COVID-19 Cases: 6,454
• Total Deaths (Cumulative): 116)
• Cases Per 100,000 People: 12.8 
• Positivity Rate: 18.4%