Where To Find COVID-19 Booster Shots In Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Booster shots, available at many pharmacies/clinics in Woodbridge, are the best defense against serious COVID illness as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads across the country, according to health officials.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant — infections among the vaccinated — are less common among people who have received their third vaccination shots, according to the CDC.

The omicron variant, first reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, has been detected in all but a handful of states, including two confirmed cases so far in New Jersey. However, there has only been one death in the world linked to the omicron variant, a case in England.

The omicron variant so far appears to spread much more rapidly and cause much milder symptoms, such as a headache and aches and pains.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the omicron variant is likely to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the coming weeks. It currently represents 3 percent of new infections.

Public health officials are concerned that vaccination rates — currently 61 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, and only 28 percent have gotten booster shots — are insufficient to fend off a fifth wave of the coronavirus. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing, with about 120,000 new cases and 1,200 deaths reported each day, mainly from the delta variant.

If you want a booster shot in Woodbridge, you can get one here:

• Woodbridge Dept. of Health and Human Services
• Woodbridge ShopRite Pharmacy
• Woodbridge Wegmans Pharmacy
• Any pharmacy in town

The CDC says Pfizer and Moderna booster shots both provide increased protection against COVID-19 and helped prevent severe symptoms in breakthrough cases.

Get great local news. Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com