When the weather gets colder and we start spending most of our time indoors, COVID-19 has more opportunities to spread. We saw this last year during the winter holidays when Jackson County experienced our highest-ever numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
But this year we have something we didn’t have in 2020: COVID-19 vaccines. And just in time for the holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opened up COVID-19 booster eligibility to everyone age 12 and older.
This means that any fully vaccinated adult may choose to receive a booster after the appropriate period of time has passed:
- Johnson & Johnson recipients — two months after a single dose
- Pfizer recipients — five months after a second dose
- Moderna recipients — five months after a second dose
The Jackson County Health Department encourages everyone eligible — and, particularly, those over the age of 50 or living in long-term care facilities — to receive their booster at least two weeks before the holidays. (Similarly, we strongly recommend that anyone missing their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna schedule it as soon as possible.) Doing so will give your immune system enough time to maximize your protection before gathering with loved ones.
Anyone having difficulty getting a booster due to transportation or health issues is encouraged to use our list of local rides and resources, which can help address any accessibility needs.
Remember: if your holiday plans include older or at-risk family and friends, getting your booster — and encouraging them to get theirs — is especially important.
Let’s make this holiday season safer for everyone. Book your booster appointment today: jcph.org/events.
