Pontiac Times

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division is offering the new COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine and flu shots for Oakland County residents beginning Sept. 8, 2022. Individuals 12 years and older are eligible for the new booster two months following the completion of their COVID-19 vaccine primary series or booster.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters include components of the original virus strain and the Omicron variant. This is called a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. The updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters are designed to give you broad protection against COVID-19, including better protection against the Omicron variant.

Appointments are recommended and walk-ins accepted at community clinics and the Health Division's Pontiac office, 1200 North Telegraph Rd, Bldg. 34E, and the Southfield office, 27725 Greenfield Rd. Visit www.oakgov.com/health/register or contact Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to make an appointment.

Community vaccination clinics will occur on:

• Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield.
• Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Karl Richter Community Center, 300 East St., Holly.
• Thursday, Sept. 15 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd., Hazel Park.
• Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 1-6 p.m. at Older Persons' Commission, 650 Letica Dr., Rochester.
• Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 2-6 p.m. at Wixom Community Center, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom
• Thursday, Sept. 22 from 1 – 6 p.m. at Robert Bowens Senior Center, 52 Bagley St., Pontiac

For those eligible, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recommends people 18 years and older get the new single dose Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine, but 12 –17-year-olds get the new single dose Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine.

At this time, the bivalent vaccine is considered only a booster, not a means of primary vaccination. Any adult starting a COVID-19 vaccination schedule will receive the original (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccine for their initial shots.

According to the CDC, bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster doses while initially authorized for people ages 12 years and older (Pfizer-BioNTech) and for people ages 18 years and older (Moderna), will be followed by younger pediatric age groups.

The new COVID-19 bivalent boosters contain an updated formula that boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strains and protects against the newer Omicron variants, which account for most of the current cases. Updated boosters are intended to provide protection against the virus and address waning vaccine effectiveness over time.

For individuals unsure about whether to get the bivalent booster or who have questions, consult a healthcare provider, or call Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533.

Flu shots are available for $25, while senior flu shots are $62. Cash, Credit (Visa/Mastercard), Medicare, Medicaid, most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and Blue Care Network, and additional insurances accepted. Oakland County Health Division participates in the Vaccines for Children Program.

Vaccine eligibility and additional COVID-19 information can be found at www.oakgov.com/covid. Information about Oakland County Health Division services can be found at  www.oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.

Original source can be found here.