NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The updated bivalent Covid-19 booster is now available for those six months and older due to eligibility expansion from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine includes a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID-19 and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.
New Hanover County is offering the booster at the Pandemic Operations Center at 1507 Greenfield Street. Health officials encourage parents to discuss providing children 6 months to 5 years with the shot with a health care provider, as there is specific timing for each dose.
“These vaccines will help ensure everyone has a high level of protection against severe illness from COVID,” Pandemic Operations manager Jon Campbell said. “We encourage everyone to discuss their options for the bivalent vaccine or booster with their healthcare provider and know that the Pandemic Operations Center is also available as a resource and to answer questions.”
Initial vaccines and boosters are available on a walk-in basis at the Pandemic Operations Center during the following days and times:
- Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays from 9 am to 5 p.m,
Individuals can also pick up frree at-home tests and masks during operating hours at the Pandemic Operations Center.
New Hanover County continues to remain at a low COVID-19 community level, according to the CDC. The county’s positivity rate over the last 7 days is 11.4%. Around 64.6% of the population has received the first two vaccine shots.
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