Who needs a COVID-19 booster dose? Here's where you can get one in Oklahoma City.

Dana Branham, Oklahoman
3 min read
0

Public health experts have urged vaccinated people to get booster doses as soon as they’re eligible, especially in light of the fast-spreading omicron variant of COVID-19.

As with immunity from a previous infection, immunity from vaccinations wanes over time, and a booster dose helps recharge the vaccine’s effectiveness. In Oklahoma, health officials have noticed an increase in vaccine breakthrough cases, especially among people who hadn’t received a booster dose.

More: COVID boosters protect against omicron, but over 60% of eligible Oklahomans haven't gotten one

So far, just under 35% of fully vaccinated Oklahomans have received a booster. Here’s how to know when you’re eligible and how to find a booster near you:

Who’s eligible

Here’s the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about who can get a booster dose:

All adults are recommended to get a booster dose if it’s been:

  • At least five months since their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine

  • At least five months since their second dose of the Moderna vaccine

  • At least two months since they received a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Children ages 12 to 17 should get a booster dose if it's been at least five months since they received their second Pfizer vaccine. The CDC expanded booster eligibility Wednesday, following the advice of its panel of vaccine advisers.

More: About 20% of November's COVID-19 cases are ‘breakthrough cases,’ health commissioner says

Which vaccine to get

Mixing-and-matching for booster doses is allowed. For example, someone who got a primary series of the Pfizer vaccine can get a Moderna shot as a booster dose.

The CDC has now said it prefers the use of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines (mRNA vaccines) over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in most situations, including for booster doses.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine can still be used in some situations, including for people who had a severe reaction to a mRNA vaccine, people who are allergic to an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines, people who would otherwise not be vaccinated because of issues accessing Pfizer or Moderna doses, and people who want the J&J vaccine despite its risk of serious adverse events.

For children ages 12 to 17, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use as a booster dose.

More: Oklahoma reports more COVID-19 cases than peak of summer wave; hospitalizations surging too

Where to get a booster

COVID-19 vaccines are available in a number of locations, including local health departments, pharmacies, grocery stores and doctors’ offices.

To find locations near you for vaccine appointments, visit vaccines.gov and enter your ZIP Code. More sites can be found on the state’s vaccine scheduling portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov, and Oklahoma City-area vaccine opportunities are listed at vaxokc.com.

Bring your COVID-19 vaccine card to your appointment. Don’t worry if you’ve lost it: you can get a copy of your vaccine record from the state Health Department here.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Need a COVID-19 booster? Here's where to find in OKC, who's eligible

Advertisement

Recommended Stories