Sept. 9. | Updated Sept. 15. Novant Health is now administering the updated COVID-19 booster doses in its family medicine and pediatric clinics.

Patients interested in the Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster can schedule an appointment through their primary care provider. This updated booster dose provides an immune response protective against COVID-19 the omicron variant.

If someone has recently had COVID-19, it is recommended waiting three months before receiving their booster dose. If they have recently completed their primary series they should wait at least two months before receiving their bivalent booster. You must complete your primary series before receiving this latest booster.

From Sept. 9: Updated boosters are becoming available this week, following FDA authorization and the CDC’s announcement that people 12 and older can receive an updated booster to protect against the new COVID-19 variants.

The updated boosters target both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Background

As of mid-August, these subvariants made up nearly 90 percent of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina. Children ages 5-11 years can still receive the original booster, but it is expected that the updated booster will be available for them in the coming weeks.

Details

Go to MySpot.nc.gov to find a COVID-19 booster location. Walgreen’s, Publix and CVS are among the locations listed.

COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. People should get the updated COVID-19 booster two months after they finish their primary series or any other booster dose.