Updated COVID-19 booster now available

September 16, 2022

Updated COVID-19 booster now available

MOBILE, Ala. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech (for people ages 12 years and older) and from Moderna (for people ages 18 years and older).

Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.

“The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky. “They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.

“This recommendation followed a comprehensive scientific evaluation and robust scientific discussion. If you are eligible, there is no bad time to get your COVID-19 booster, and I strongly encourage you to receive it.”

The Mobile County Health Department’s (MCHD) COVID-19 Response Team is now offering the Pfizer-BioNTech updated booster. The supply of the Moderna vaccine is expected to arrive soon.

Vaccinations and rapid testing are available at MCHD’s Festival Centre located in West Mobile (3725 Airport Boulevard, Suite 101-A), the Public Health Response Unit situated at the Semmes Health Center (3810 Wulff Road East), and the Southwest Public Health Center (5580 Inn Road in Tillman’s Corner).

The Novavax vaccine is also available. This vaccine, approved by the CDC as a primary series, is available to unvaccinated adults. Novavax is a COVID-19 vaccine that uses a traditional protein-based technology, unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines that use mRNA technology.

These in-clinic services from the COVID-19 Response Team are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no out-of-pocket costs. While no appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, individual appointments must be made for rapid testing online at this link — https://appointments.mchd.org.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are also available by appointment at the following Family Health locations – Keeler Memorial Building (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile), Semmes Health Center (3810 Wulff Road East), Eight Mile Health Center (4009 Saint Stephens Road), Southwest Mobile Health Center (5580 Inn Road in Tillman’s Corner) and Dauphin Island Parkway Health Center (2601 Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile). Appointments may be made by calling 251-690-8889.

Information on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing can be found at www.MCHDcares.com or by calling 251-410-MCHD (6243).