Health Department to start J&J and Moderna boosters on Oct. 26

Submitted by Washtenaw County Health Department

The Washtenaw County Health Department will begin offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster doses starting Tuesday, October 26. The Health Department will not be giving any non-Pfizer boosters before 10/26.

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be widely available from local providers and pharmacies. Starting 10/26, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters will be available at the Health Department’s October drive-through and ongoing walk-in clinics at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. Initial vaccine doses of all three vaccines and Pfizer boosters are currently available at these Health Department clinics. No appointments required. Please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible.

For those who received an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series: adults 65+, adults 18+ who live in long-term care settings, adults 18+ who have underlying medical conditions, and adults 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings.

People who received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a COVID-19 booster dose at least two months after their initial dose.

As previously recommended, people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. This additional dose is intended to improve the response of people who are immunocompromised to their initial vaccine series.

Those eligible for a booster may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose from the Health Department starting Tuesday 10/26. For questions about which booster to receive, we recommend speaking with your own health care provider for advice.

We will be sharing more details as we have them at http://bit.ly/vaxwchd. See the CDC’s statement here.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.