COVID Vaccine Boosters Now Offered To All Adults In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Health Department and other COVID-19 vaccine providers in the city are now offering booster shots to all adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded booster eligibility to everyone 18 and older for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines on Nov. 19. A booster dose or Pfizer or Moderna should be at least six months after the second dose. "Mix and matching" of different COVID-19 vaccines is allowed, but residents may first consult with their health care provider. All COVID-19 vaccine doses are free.

Previously, Pfizer and Moderna boosters were recommended for anyone 65 and older, adults living in long-term care facilities, adults with underlying health conditions, or adults at higher risk for COVID-19 exposure due to their work setting.

Booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine were already recommended for all adults at least two months after the initial dose.

Boosters are not currently recommended for anyone under 18. Children ages 5 and up are eligible for the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and J&J vaccines are limited to adults 18 and older.

The CDC recommended the boosters after scientific evaluation of safety data, vaccine effectiveness and the current state of the pandemic.

"Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people's protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays," stated CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. "Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose."

In Alexandria, residents can find appointments with providers at vaccines.gov or sign up for Alexandria Health Department clinics. Booster appointments at health department clinics may be limited in the coming weeks due to a focus on newly eligible children ages 5 to 11.

Here are some of the upcoming Alexandria Health Department clinics. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/Vaccines for a full schedule.

Nov. 24: Torpedo Factory, 105 N Union St, 3rd floor #325, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 12+, All Doses (including Boosters for 18+)
• Moderna Vaccine - Ages 18+, All Doses including Boosters
• Johnson & Johnson Vaccine - Ages 18+, All Doses including Boosters
• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 5-11 (Pediatric First Doses)

Nov. 24: Northern Virginia Community College, Fine Arts Building, 3301 Netherton Drive, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 12+, All Doses (including Boosters for 18+)
• Moderna Vaccine - Ages 18+, All Doses including Boosters
• Johnson & Johnson Vaccine - Ages 18+, All Doses including Boosters
• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 5-11 (Pediatric First Doses)

Nov. 26: Torpedo Factory, 105 N Union St, 3rd floor #325, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 5-11 (Pediatric Second Doses Only, By Appointment)
• Moderna Vaccine - Ages 18+, All Doses including Boosters

Nov. 27: Northern Virginia Community College, Fine Arts Building, 3301 Netherton Drive, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Pfizer Vaccine - Ages 5-11 (Pediatric Second Doses Only, By Appointment)