Children Ages 12+ Can Receive Free COVID Booster Shots In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County is now offering free booster shots to eligible, vaccinated children — ages 12 and up — beginning Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Eligible Union County residents can receive booster shots at all of the following Union County sites from Tuesday to Thursday:

• Kean University in Union
• Warinanco Ice Skating Center in Roselle
• Plainfield High School in Plainfield

Chair of Union County Rebecca Williams said the county's COVID-19 vaccination program will help combat the current winter spike in cases.

“Union County strongly urges parents and guardians to get their vaccinated adolescents boosted as this will help provide even greater protection against severe symptoms of this virus and will continue to keep our children healthy, safe and protected," Williams said.

Residents can make an appointment and find the full schedule of the vaccines and boosters on the County’s website at http://www.ucnj.org/covid19.

Children between 12 to 17 years old may only receive a Pfizer booster, whereas adults aged 18 or older may receive any of the FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) as a booster.

Below is the most current information on recommendations for receiving a booster, according to the CDC:

• Everyone aged 12 and older who completed their initial 2-dose vaccination series with Pfizer at least five months ago
• Everyone aged 18 years and older who completed their initial 2-dose vaccination series with Moderna at least six months ago
• Everyone aged 18 years and older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Children ages 5+ who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second dose.

In addition, the CDC has also updated its recommendation for when people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval to 5 months for people who received all mRNA boosters of COVID vaccines.

“The health and well-being of our residents is our top priority and it is critical that we do all that we can to protect our children from the effects of the COVID-19 infection,” said Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Chair of the Commissioner Board’s Public Safety Committee.

“This booster will provide our youngest residents with an extra dose of protection they need as they return to school and extra-curricular activities and our Commissioner Board will continue to ensure that we have the necessary tools and resources required to combat this virus, together.”

Residents wishing to make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine can visit www.ucnj.org/vax or call the County of Union Covid-19 Vaccination and Testing hotline 908-613-7VAX (7829)