Clark County vaccine supply good as second COVID booster OK’d

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to align with the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of a second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — for certain groups at higher risk of severe illness.

That means people who are 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised people can now get a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after getting their first booster dose.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be free, and Clark County medical clinics and pharmacies have adequate supply of vaccine, according to Clark County Public Health. People who are eligible for a second booster dose can contact their medical provider or a local pharmacy to schedule a vaccination appointment.

People can find vaccine locations near them by:

• Searching VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov

• Searching VaccineFinder.org

• Calling 833.VAX.HELP

• Texting their ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX)

“Getting vaccinated and boosted, when eligible, provides the best protection against COVID-19,” said Clark County Public Health spokeswoman Marissa Armstrong in an email. “In Clark County, only 56 percent of fully vaccinated people who are eligible for their first booster dose (those 12 years and older) have received a booster. We urge everyone who has not yet gotten vaccinated or is who eligible for a booster and hasn’t received it to make a vaccination appointment.”