The new bivalent COVID booster, which has been reformulated to better target the BA.4 and BA.5 versions of the Omicron strain, is now available in our area. The influx of students has brought a spike in cases, so it’s a great time to make sure you are as protected as possible.
The CDC is recommending this booster for anyone 12 and up (for Pfizer) or 18 and up (for Moderna) who is at least two months past their primary series or latest booster. If you’ve had a recent COVID infection, it’s recommended that you wait until at least three months from the start of symptoms or your first positive test.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has a limited number of boosters available, so they will begin with a clinic for those 65+ who live or work in Champaign County. If that is you, you can sign up for an appointment here.
If that isn’t you, then you can go to vaccines.gov to find which area pharmacies have appointments available. Carle and OSF do not yet have the updated boosters.
Top photo from CUPHD Facebook page.