Niagara County Department of Health to Offer Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine at Upcoming Clinics

The Niagara County Department of Health will offer the bivalent COVID-19 boosters at all upcoming clinics.  On September 1, 2022, the CDC recommended the use of the updated COVID-19 boosters for individuals 12 years age and older, following the recommendation from its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization.  

The new “bivalent” boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants to the original formula and bolster previous vaccination protection. The combination vaccines aim to increase cross-protection against multiple variants.

“The Omicron is highly contagious, and that is the variant that is circulating in our community,” said Daniel Stapleton, Niagara County Public Health Director.  “Vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. The Niagara County Department of Health recommends an updated booster for anyone that is eligible,” Stapleton added.

The bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for use as single booster dose at least two months after completing the primary or booster vaccination as follows:

·         Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent: individuals 18 years of age and older

·         Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent: individuals 12 years of age and older

Children ages 5 – 11 years who have completed Pfizer-BioNTech’s primary vaccine series should continue to receive the original monovalent booster at least 5 months after their most recent dose.

Children ages 6 months – 4 years are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses.

Niagara County Department of Health will offer COVID-19 vaccination throughout September at community events and vaccination clinics:

Saturday, September 10th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Niagara Peach Festival, Lewiston)

Sunday, September 11th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Niagara Peach Festival, Lewiston)

Wednesday, September 14th, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Cataract Elementary School, Niagara Falls)

Saturday, September 17th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Niagara Celtic Festival, Lockport)

Sunday, September 18th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Niagara Celtic Festival, Lockport)

Although we encourage people to visit our website to register in advance, walk-ins are welcome,” said Tracy Fricano Chalmers, Director of Public Health Planning and Emergency Preparedness.  “The registration links and additional information for all upcoming vaccination clinics are available on our website at https://www.niagaracounty.com/health/Vaccine ,” Ms. Fricano Chalmers concluded.  

In addition to the bivalent boosters, boosters for children 5 – 11 years of age, and primary vaccinations for individuals 6 months and older will also be available at all locations.