PCHD encourages qualified residents to get COVID-19 booster shots; continues Thursday vaccine clinics through at least April
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
According to a release from the Pike County Health Department (PCHD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a second booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for certain individuals at least four months after the first booster dose.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations, allowing adults over 50 years of age and certain immunocompromised individuals to receive an additional booster dose. In addition adults who have received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine may receive a second booster shot of one of the mRNA vaccines.
IDPH has adopted the following CDC recommendations:
■ The additional single booster dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available for individuals ages 50 and older at least four months after the first booster dose.
■ An additional booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be available for immunocompromised individuals ages 12 and older at least four months after the first booster dose.
■ Adults who received the Johnson & Johnson primary vaccine may receive a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine at least four months after their first booster dose.
PCHD Director of Nursing Sharon Bargmann said that the new guidance from the CDC has encouraged more Pike County residents to get booster shots, and the guidance has even encouraged some residents to get their first vaccination shots.
“We’ve seen some people that were on the fence about getting the vaccine that have come in recently,” Bargmann said. “Some of them have seen a lot of other people get vaccinated and decided it was okay to do. Others, unfortunately, have had family members who have gotten severely sick.”
While state regulations regarding masking and socially distancing have recently been relaxed, Bargmann said that the virus still poses a threat to residents. In response, Bargmann encourages all residents to get vaccinated and boosted against the virus.
“Get the booster,” Bargmann said. “The virus keeps mutating. To be protected, you want to keep up with your vaccinations.”
Bargmann said that the new guidance from the CDC and IDPH has prompted the PCHD to continue with its Thursday vaccination clinics through at least the end of April. PCHD had previously planned to discontinue the clinics.
“We were going to go to walk-in only, but, due to the second booster, we saw an increase in demand,” Bargman said. “We decided to keep our Thursday vaccination clinic going through April.”
Bargmann stressed that receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to prevent being infected or being seriously affected by the virus.
“Our whole aim is to prevent people from getting sick,” Bargmann said. “And is they do get sick, we want to keep them out of the hospital, out of the ICU, and stop them from dying. The vaccines are working to keep people out of the hospitals.”
PCHD will offer free COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Thursdays through April from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the health department.
In addition, PCHD offers free COVID-19 testing Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the health department. Results of testing typically take 2-3 days.
