Second COVID-19 booster dose now available, Columbus Health Department announces
The Columbus Health Department is now administering a second COVID-19 booster to eligible residents as officials remain optimistic about Columbus’ community transmission remaining low.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend people get vaccinated against COVID-19 like they have with other illnesses, said West Central Health District spokesperson Pam Kirkland.
People who are eligible for a second booster using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine include:
Adults ages 50 and older
Individuals who are 12 years of age or older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
Adults ages 18 and older who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine as both their primary series dose and first booster.
All individuals who are eligible for a second booster dose may do so four months after the first booster dose, Kirkland said. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one that will be administered to individuals under 18 years of age who get the second booster.
Residents may get the initial vaccination series, first and second booster doses at the health department at 5601 Veterans Parkway, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments are preferred, but are not required.
Local COVID cases
As of April 11, Muscogee County reported 63 new COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks at a rate of 33 cases per 100,000 people. The CDC continues to rate Muscogee County’s COVID-19 Community Level as low, recommending residents stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and to get tested if they have symptoms.
At a low community level, the CDC does not recommend indoor masking, but states that people may choose to do so at any time. Individuals with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Kirkland isn’t as concerned about a possible surge as she was last year, she said, because many residents have antibodies from having contracted COVID or they have been vaccinated. Now that spring has arrived, Kirkland said, many events will be held outdoors lessening the opportunity for spread.
“I think eventually the majority of people will have strong enough immunity to fight it,” she said. “Which is a good thing, since it looks like we may be living with COVID for a while longer.”
The number of people going to the health department has decreased in recent weeks after the omicron surge slowed down, Kirkland said.
“Many people have received home test kits,” she said. “So that may add to the reason we are not seeing as many folks getting tested.”
The health department continues to provide COVID testing at two Columbus locations:
Columbus Health Department at 5601 Veterans Parkway, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center at 5025 Steam Mill Rd on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about COVID-19 testing and vaccines, please visit the health department’s website.
