Oct. 17, 2022 (Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County Department of Public Health will offer the COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine at its mobile van 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Barbey Center in Astoria. Appointment pre-registration is required.
With the Omicron variant changing and its subvariants emerging and with a strong flu season in the southern hemisphere, some experts raised the concern of a double-punch from COVID and seasonal flu in the coming months. “To reduce strains to our local first respondent and healthcare capacities, I encourage residents to get vaccinated for both vaccines,” said Jiancheng Huang, Public Health Director.
Clatsop County Public Health is working closely with local healthcare workers to protect local first responders and healthcare capacities of the county.
Individuals must make an appointment to receive COVID or flu vaccine online or by calling (503)325-8500. However, funding restrictions prevent making both vaccines available at the upcoming COVID-19 booster clinics.
Two bivalent booster vaccines will be offered at the event:
- Pfizer Bivalent Booster for those age 12 and up, and
- Moderna Bivalent Booster for those age 18 and up.
The updated booster should be given at least two months after completing the primary vaccination series, after receiving the most recent booster dose, or testing positive for COVID.
The CDC states that people can “mix-and-match” vaccines as well – for example, you can get the Pfizer booster even if your initial vaccination was with the Moderna vaccine.
“Vaccines are effective. Even when they cannot prevent infection, they can lessen symptoms and reduce severe diseases, especially for seniors,” Huang said.
The flu vaccine and COVID booster are widely available at local pharmacies and primary care offices, as well as at Public Health’s main office in Astoria, 820 Exchange Street, Suite 110.
The Barbey Center is located at 2042 Marine Drive in Astoria.