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Niagara County Department of Health to offer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine at upcoming clinics

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Thu, Sep 8th 2022 09:35 pm

The Niagara County Department of Health will offer the bivalent coronavirus booster at all upcoming clinics.

It stated, “The new ‘bivalent’ boosters add omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants to the original formula and bolster previous vaccination protection. The combination vaccines aim to increase cross-protection against multiple variants.”

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton said, “The omicron is highly contagious, and that is the variant that is circulating in our community. Vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. The Niagara County Department of Health recommends an updated booster for anyone that is eligible.”

On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the use of the updated boosters for individuals 12 years age and older, following the recommendation from its advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization.

The bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are now authorized for use as single booster dose at least two months after completing the primary or booster vaccination as follows:

√ Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent: individuals 18 years of age and older

√ Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent: individuals 12 years of age and older

NCDOH noted, “Children ages 5-11 years who have completed Pfizer-BioNTech’s primary vaccine series should continue to receive the original monovalent booster at least five months after their most recent dose. Children ages 6 months to 4 years are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses.”

The department will offer COVID-19 vaccination throughout September at community events and vaccination clinics including:

√ Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peach Festival in Lewiston

√ Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peach Festival in Lewiston

√ Wednesday, Sept. 14, 3-6 p.m. at Cataract Elementary School in Niagara Falls

√ Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Niagara Celtic Festival in Lockport

√ Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Niagara Celtic Festival in Lockport

“Although we encourage people to visit our website to register in advance, walk-ins are welcome,” said Tracy Fricano Chalmers, director of public health planning and emergency preparedness. “The registration links and additional information for all upcoming vaccination clinics are available on our website at https://www.niagaracounty.com/health/Vaccine.”

In addition to the bivalent boosters, boosters for children 5-11 years of age, and primary vaccinations for individuals 6 months and older, will also be available at all locations.

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