150,000 doses of updated COVID-19 booster shots available in Chicago, with more on the way
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Now that the FDA and CDC have signed off on updated COVID-19 booster shots adapted for the Omicron variant, city officials will begin making them available for eligible Chicagoans.
The new boosters are approved for those who have already had two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The updated Moderna booster is available for those age 18 and up, and the updated Pfizer vaccine is available for those age 12 and up.
The updated boosters are recommended at least two months after completing the primary series or booster vaccination.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady urged people to get the updated booster, especially seniors and those who are immunocompromised, and more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Arwady said she often has been asked why an updated COVID booster is needed. She said it's all because of the newest strains. The updated booster protects against both the original strain of COVID-19 and the latest versions, the Ba.4 and Ba.5 omicron variants causing the majority of new cases.
Arwady said, when it comes to getting ahead of the virus, timing is everything.
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"99.9% of all of the cases of COVID right now are this Ba.4, Ba.5 subvariant. So getting the vaccine that is a perfect match is your best chance to not only protect yourself, and your family, and your community long-term against severe outcomes; but also, hopefully, to help us get ahead of the COVID virus, looking to the winter," she said.
The city has been allotted 150,000 doses of the updated vaccines, with more on the way in the coming weeks, according to the mayor's office.
Booster clinics hosted by the Chicago Department of Public Health may offer people a $50 gift card for the updated shots, depending on availability and eligibility.
- Call or visit your local pharmacy's website for more information on availability of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. More than 130 pharmacy locations in Chicago are expected to receive the updated vaccine this week:
- CDPH's in-home vaccination program, Protect Chicago At Home, will offer the updated COVID-19 vaccine, as well as primary doses for anyone age 6 months and up. Appointments for homebound individuals, those age 65 and up, as well as those living in certain zip codes will be prioritized. Up to 10 people can be vaccinated at a time. Make an at-home appointment at Chicago.gov/AtHome or by calling 312-746-4835.
- CDPH will continue to host family vaccination clinics at City Colleges of Chicago through the month of November. These events will offer flu shots, Pfizer and Moderna for children 6 months through 4 years old, as well as Pfizer vaccines and the updated bivalent booster doses to all eligible Chicagoans. Clinics will be open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is recommended and is available at Chicago.gov/COVIDvax. The first clinics will be held Saturday, Sept. 10 at Olive Harvey College (10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.) and Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Institute (2800 S. Western Ave.). Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
- CDPH is partnering with aldermen and organizations across all 50 wards to provide flu/COVID-19 vaccination clinics this fall, that will include the updated COVID-19 vaccine. This includes clinics held in partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services at locations serving seniors and other congregate settings. View the full schedule and find an event near you at Chicago.gov/VaxCalendar — events will be added as they are confirmed.
COVID-19 vaccines — including the updated bivalent boosters — are free, and no government-issued ID or insurance is required. Learn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDvax.