booster

Booster doses for 5-to-11-year-olds available Wednesday

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Children age 5-11 are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster, which will be available Wednesday during the Malheur County Health Department’s Walk-in Wednesday clinic, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday.

  • Children ages 5-11 who are not immunocompromised should get a booster dose at least five months after receiving the second dose in their primary vaccine series.
  • Children ages 5-11 who are immunocompromised and have received their third primary series dose, should get a booster dose at least three months after receiving the third dose in their primary vaccine series.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, 401 children age 5-11 in Malheur County have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, of 2,875 children of that age living in the county.

“Boosters are especially likely to benefit children who are at high risk for severe disease,” said Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA. “Boosters may also prevent children from spreading the virus to loved ones who are at high risk.”

Since the start of the pandemic, 15,000 children ages 5 through 11 have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S., and more than 180 have died. Booster doses restore the immune system and extend protection from COVID-19 infection and severe illness.

“With more than 18 million doses administered in this age group, we know that these vaccines are safe, and we must continue to increase the number of children who are protected,” said CDC director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are safe and effective for children

The effectiveness of the two-dose series in preventing infection from the Omicron variant wanes over a few months. Boosters were shown to increase antibodies against Omicron in children 5-11 years of age to 36 times the level they had after the second dose.

“Most important, though, is to get that primary series into kids who haven’t had it yet,” said Cieslak.

Vaccination is the best way to protect children from severe illness and the long-term effects of COVID-19 that are still not fully understood.

If you have any questions about COVID-19 vaccines or boosters for children ages 5 through 11, please submit them here. The OHA is unable to answer every question, but will try to answer those that will inform a wide audience. Additionally, the FDA is expected to meet next month to review requests from Moderna and Pfizer to authorize their COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. Feel free to submit questions about that as well.

Get your second booster on Wednesday

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All brands and all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters and second boosters are available for anyone eligible at the Malheur County Health Department on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed. The Health Department is at 1108 SW 4th St. in Ontario, Ore., across the street from the TVCC baseball field.

CDC updates booster guidance for certain people

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement yesterday updating its COVID-19 vaccination guidelines to include a second booster dose for some adults, as well as for immunocompromised people age 12 and older.

The following second booster doses can be received at least four months after receiving any previous booster dose. Read on for details. 

  • People age 50 and older may receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. 
  • Immunocompromised people ages 12-17 may receive a Pfizer booster dose. 
  • Immunocompromised people age 18 and older may receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. 
  • Anyone age 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for their primary and booster doses may receive either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as an additional booster.

Second COVID-19 boosters now available

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Second COVID-19 boosters are now available for people over 50 and certain immunocompromised individuals after federal authorization this week.

According to newly-adopted protocols, individuals who meet the criteria and received an initial booster dose at least four months ago can now get a second booster dose of either of the mRNA vaccines – made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine at least four months ago can now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration experts say booster doses of the mRNA vaccines have been shown to increase immune response among individuals who completed primary doses of the shots as well as prevent severe disease among those infected with the virus. They also found no safety concerns linked with the second boosters.

Oregon Health Authority officials say there’s more than enough vaccine supply in Oregon to accommodate the groups eligible for second boosters, and new demand should help providers use up some of their excess vaccine stocks.

In Malheur County, 4,824 people, or 44.1% of those eligible, received their first booster dose, according to OHA data. Of those, 59.8%, or 3,523 are over 50, and eligible for their second booster four months after their first.

OHA strongly encourages everyone eligible in Oregon to get their primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccines followed by a booster shot. Those most at risk for the virus are people who have not yet received a primary series of the vaccines.

Vaccines are offered every Wednesday at the Malheur County Health Department, 1108 SW 4th St., in Ontario, Oregon, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a walk-in basis. Call 541-889-7279 for more information.

Booster doses provide additional protection against COVID-19

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As of February 10, 2022, more than 90 million people ages 12 years and older in the United States have received a COVID-19 booster dose. In Oregon, 59.3% of those eligible have received a booster dose. Only 42.5% of those eligible have received a booster dose in Malheur County, significantly lower than the state and national numbers.

Booster eligibility data for people ages 12 years and older are now available on COVID Data Tracker. See the data.

Booster doses, as well as first and second doses, are available at the Malheur County Health Department, 1108 SW 4th St., Ontario, every Wednesday from 8:30 to 4:30, free of charge, and with no appointment needed.

Booster doses are safe and effective, and work to help prevent severe illness and death in those infected with the the virus that causes COVID-19. If you love someone who is at high risk for severe illness or death, encourage them to seek out vaccination.

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Children as young as 12 authorized to receive Pfizer booster

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On Jan. 6, the Western States Scientific Review Workgroup joined the CDC in recommending new guidelines for the Pfizer vaccine.

The new guidance, which takes effect in Oregon immediately, says:

  • Children ages 12-15 can now get a Pfizer booster at least five months after their second dose.
  • The wait time for a booster dose has been shortened to at least five months after receiving their initial series of the Pfizer vaccine.
  • Immunocompromised children ages 5-11 can now receive a third primary series dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

It’s more important than ever to get boosted. It is vital in protecting you against severe cases of COVID-19, especially with the Omicron variant spreading so quickly. With just the primary series of vaccines, you’re only 35% protected from Omicron. With a booster, that protection level jumps up to 75%. Boosters take only two to three days to strengthen your immune response.

Where to get a COVID-19 booster

  • if you have a doctor, ask them first
  • visit the Malheur County Health Department any Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no appointment needed)
  • Contact a local pharmacy to schedule an appointment
  • Contact a local medical clinic to schedule an appointment
  • Text ORCOVID to 898211 (English and Spanish) or email ORCOVID@211info.org
  • Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155, toll-free, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Mountain Time) daily, including holidays
  • Or you can use the vaccine locator tool on OHA’s website, found here.

Pfizer boosters available for ages 16 to 17

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Following the FDA, CDC and Western States Scientific Safety Review recommendation to expand Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine eligibility to people 16-17 years who have completed their primary vaccination series, Malheur County Health Department will begin offering the boosters at the drive-through vaccine clinic Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 at the Ontario Airport firehouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals ages 16 and older who received the Pfizer vaccine should receive a booster dose after at least six months.

A booster is a vaccine dose given to a person whose immune response from the primary vaccine series has waned over time. Booster doses help people maintain strong immunity to disease longer. The first vaccine series builds up the immune system to make the antibodies needed to fight the disease. Over time, the immune response weakens. A booster dose stimulates the initial response and tends to result in higher antibody levels that help people maintain their immunity longer.

“The scientists, medical experts and health officials who reviewed studies on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines have determined that the benefits provided by a booster merit their use for this group,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and state epidemiologist.  “We already know that protection can wane over time, and the boosters will continue to provide younger Oregonians continued protection, just as boosters are doing for Oregonians 18 years and older.”

There are an estimated 100,000 Oregonians ages 16 and 17. Of this group, approximately 25,000 are now eligible for boosters following today’s approvals. Another 25,000 persons in this age group will be eligible by the end of this month, and up to 7,000 persons who are 16 and 17 years of age will become eligible for boosters through first part of 2022.

“This is another step in expanding the numbers of persons who are protected, as we continue to deal with the Delta variant in our communities and plan for the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is already found in more than a third of states,” said Sidelinger.

All COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free. They are available throughout the state at pharmacies, health providers, Tribal clinics and community vaccination clinics.

More information can be found here.

Boosters now widely available

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COVID-19 booster shots are now available to everyone over 18 who had their second dose at least six months prior, or two months after a Johnson and Johnson vaccine, after an FDA panel, followed by a CDC panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review have recommended the dose.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free, and the booster dose provides an extra layer of protection.

Booster doses are available every Wednesday in November and December (with the exceptions of the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas) at the Malheur County Health Department, 1108 SW 4th St., in Ontario, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Ontario Municipal Airport firehouse, 3288 SW 4th Ave., in Ontario.

Booster doses help people maintain strong immunity to disease longer. The first vaccine series builds up the immune system to make the antibodies needed to fight the disease. Over time, the immune response weakens. A booster dose stimulates the initial response and tends to result in higher antibody levels that help people maintain their immunity longer.

While booster doses are available to everyone age 18 and older, they are strongly recommended for people older than 50, people age 18 and older who live in long-term care facilities and anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“The more people that choose to get vaccinated, the safer our communities will be for all of us,” said Rachel Banks, Public Health Director, Oregon Health Authority. “This review and subsequent approval of booster doses helps us loosen COVID-19’s grip on our communities and it will ultimately safe more lives.”

COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday

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A drive-through COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Malheur County Fairgrounds, 790 NW 9th St. in Ontario. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters will be available, as well as all doses of all three vaccines, and vaccine recipients will receive a $25 gift card.

Enter through the southern entrance to the fairgrounds, off 9th Street, and follow signage and verbal instructions. There will be two lines for vaccines, in an effort to move the line more quickly, but don’t forget to allow for an observation period lasting 15 minutes after your injection.

Reminder: if you have already received a dose, or two doses of vaccine, please bring your vaccine card, or show a photo of your vaccine card, to save time.

For information about who qualifies for a booster dose, follow the links on this post.

This will be the last drive-through event at the fairgrounds this year, due to cooler temperatures.