News Flash

For Immediate Release

10/26/2021    

COVID-19 Information

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVID-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Vaccine Information

Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine
Follow Us: www.facebook.com/rowancountyhealth 

Rowan County COVID-19 Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots to help strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19 infections.

The Moderna COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who received their second dose at least six months ago and who are at high risk for severe illness or exposure based on their age, profession, living setting or health conditions. This includes people:

• 65 years or older, and
• 18 years or older who: 
  • live or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility;  
  • have underlying medical conditions; 
  • work in high-risk settings like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers; or,
  • live or work in a place where many people live together (for example, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, migrant farm housing, dormitories or other group living settings in colleges or universities).

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals ages 18 and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

The Pfizer booster shots have been available since September 24^th for individuals who are at high risk for serious illness or exposure and who received their second dose at least six months ago.

Additionally, individuals are now able to receive any brand of the COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may choose to stay with the vaccine type they originally received, while others may prefer to get a different type of booster shot altogether. Limited preliminary evidence does suggest that either the Moderna or Pfizer booster dose may be more effective in raising one’s antibody levels than a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. With that being known, we do highly encourage you to speak with your primary care provider or your pharmacist if you have questions about which booster may be right for you and/or your family members. 

This past Friday’s announcement expands the eligibility for more individuals to receive additional protection against COVID-19. Please note that a doctor's note is not needed in order to get a booster shot. Individuals who want to receive a booster shot will simply need to know the dates of any past COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the vaccine brand they originally received, if they should choose to stay with their original vaccine type. Paper vaccination cards are helpful and should be brought with you, if at all possible. 

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines or to find a vaccine location, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 888-675-4567. 

Here locally, the COVID-19 booster shots are now available at the following locations:

• Novant Health Clinic at the J.F. Hurley YMCA; 8 am to 5 pm Wed. and Friday; Appointments are strongly encouraged and please bring your vaccine card
• Novant Health’s Primary Care Clinics; call your primary physician for more information
• Rowan County Public Health—Only Pfizer vaccines are available at this time; however other COVID-19 vaccine brands have been ordered; please call 704-216-8777; Option 3 to make an appointment 
• Local Pharmacies: Walmart; Walgreens; CVS; Moose Pharmacy; Medicine Shoppe, Cannon Pharmacy
• Local Grocery Stores: Food Lion

When scheduling your booster shot, please realize that you do not have to go back to the same place you received your initial dose(s). Any of the agencies or businesses listed above can assist you.  For more information on how to schedule an appointment and what types of vaccines are currently available, please visit any of the listed agencies/businesses’ websites or call them directly.

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PIO Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - October 26, 2021 (PDF)