Health district o ering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Virginia Department of Health has authorized booster vaccines for the P zer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The booster vaccine can be obtained any time a er six months from the date of the second P zer vaccine. Please note that only those who have received two shots of P zer vaccine and meet the following criteria are eligible:

 People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of P zer vaccine at least 6 months a er their P zer primary series.

 People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of P zer vaccine at least 6 months a er their P zer primary series.

 People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of P zer vaccine at least 6 months a er their P zer primary series, based on their individual bene ts and risks.

 People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of P zer vaccine at least 6 months a er their P zer primary series, based on their individual bene ts and risks.

Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) encourages all eligible persons to get their COVID-19 vaccine if they haven’t already done so. To nd a vaccination site near you, visit vase.vdh. virginia.gov or visit www.vaccines.gov.

“The COVID-19 vaccine e ectiveness may decrease slowly a er six months, but people still have strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death" said Dr. Colin Greene, acting director of RRHD. “The CDC recommends that the booster dose be given six months or more a er the second shot, but individuals who have not yet received a booster will still be considered fully vaccinated.”

RRHD will o er COVID-19 boosters (as well as rst and second doses of P zer and Moderna) at the Reva Fire Department, located at 18230 Birmingham Road, Culpeper, on the following days/times:

 Wednesday, September 29,. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Monday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 Tuesday, October 5, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up for appointments at www. rrhd.org. Walk-ins will not be accepted at the event. The clinic will provide P zer booster shots in addition to rst and second doses of P zer and Moderna. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.

COVID-19 vaccines will not be available at the local health department o ces while the central site is operational. However, you may receive u vaccines at any local health department during immunization clinic hours. Please call 540-308-6072 for dates and times.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are not authorized for booster doses at this time. We expect additional recommendations regarding these vaccines in the coming weeks.

If you are coming for your booster dose, please wear a mask and bring your vaccine card to con rm the date and type of vaccine you received in your second dose. We recommend you wait at the clinic site for 15 minutes a er receiving the booster dose.

For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus. Find convenient, free vaccination locations near you by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1).