News

New bivalent vaccine now available by appointment at health department

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 11, 2022

Appointments for newly approved booster vaccinations at the Henderson County Health Department are now available online at https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/covid-19-vaccines, the health department announced last week. The vaccines will be administered at the Health Department, 1200 Spartanburg Highway, starting Monday, Sept. 12. Henderson County has announced

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Sept. 1 that people 12 and older can receive an updated booster to protect against the latest Covid-19 variants. The updated booster is referred to as a bivalent vaccine as it targets both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which currently make up about 90 percent of Covid-19 cases in North Carolina.

The CDC has recommended the updated boosters to those 12 and older who completed their primary vaccine series or initial booster at least two months ago. Patients with questions or concerns should talk with their healthcare provider. Both Pfizer and Moderna boosters are available and either can be given. The health department will honor requests for brand-specific vaccine as supplies are available. Covid-19 vaccines are free to everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Insured individuals are asked to bring their insurance cards to the clinic for billing purposes but there will be no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine.

Vaccines remain available for an individual’s initial primary series (first and second doses) as well as boosters for ages six months to 11 years old at the Health Department on a walk-in basis.