On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended everyone age 12 and older to get an updated booster at least two months after their last COVID-19 shot. These new bivalent boosters help protect against the original COVID-19 strain as well as the newer Omicron variants. The booster may be given after a person’s primary series or after their last booster shot. Everyone who is eligible are recommended to receive one dose of the updated vaccine.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have authorized boosters. The Pfizer booster is authorized for people age 12 and older. The Moderna booster is authorized for people ages 18 and older.
Dakota County Public Health is only offering the Pfizer version of the bivalent booster at clinics. To view Dakota County Public Health clinic dates and times and to make an appointment, visit the county’s COVID-19 vaccine web page.
You can get COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit as other vaccines, such as a flu vaccine. Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you should get vaccinated.
CDC recommends everyone get and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This means everyone:
▪ Age 6 months through 4 years should get all COVID-19 primary series doses.
▪ Age 5 years and older should get all COVID-19 primary series doses, plus the most recent booster dose recommended for them.
Primary care physicians and local pharmacies are also beginning to offer the new boosters. If you’d rather receive your COVID-19 vaccinations from them, contact their offices and locations to set up an appointment.
To find locations near you that offer COVID-19 vaccines, including the new bivalent booster, visit Vaccines.gov.