The Union County Board of County Commissioners announces that Union County residents age five years and older can now obtain the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shots formulated by Pfizer and Moderna, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approved by the Centers for Disease Control.
The new bivalent booster shots target recent Omicron variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading. The new Pfizer pediatric booster is for ages 5 to 11. The Moderna booster is for ages 6 to 17. Children age 6 to 11 can take either the Moderna or the Pfizer booster.
Both of the new pediatric bivalent booster shots are available at any vaccination clinic run by Union County beginning on Tuesday, October 18.
“The new booster shots for children mark another step in our efforts to ensure that approved COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available to Union County residents as quickly as possible, helping to save lives and prevent long term health impacts. We encourage every resident to obtain a new bivalent booster shot as soon as they are eligible,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
In order to receive the new bivalent booster, children must first complete their primary vaccination series, consisting of two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They can receive the new booster two months after their primary vaccination is complete.
Children who have already received a booster shot can receive the new booster two months after their previous shot.
Children and adults who have received the new Novavax vaccine are not yet eligible for any booster at this time.
The vaccination clinics run by Union County welcome walk-ins for booster shots, but appointments are recommended. Residents who previously scheduled a monovalent booster shot at a Union County vaccination clinic will need to make a new appointment to receive a bivalent booster.
To make an appointment online visit the Union County COVID-19 portal at ucnj.org/covid19/ or call 908-613-7829 for assistance.
As a reminder, the monovalent booster shots are no longer authorized for persons five years of age and older. At this time, booster shots are not authorized for children and infants under age 5.
Vaccination is the best defense against the worst impacts of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Union County residents who are not vaccinated yet are urged to begin their primary series as soon as possible, and then follow up with the new bivalent booster shot as soon as they are eligible.
The primary vaccination series is authorized for all adults, children, and infants beginning at age 6 months.
Union County’s vaccine clinics currently offer all authorized vaccines and boosters as follows:
Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive at Warinanco Park in Roselle:
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Warinanco clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations for all age groups.
The hours of operation on Tuesdays are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The hours of operation on Thursdays are 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield (use the Kenyon Avenue entrance):
On Saturdays, the Plainfield High School clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations.
The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
To make an appointment for a vaccination at either the Warinanco or Plainfield clinics, create an account or log into an existing account through Union County’s vaccination portal, ucnj.org/covid19. If additional assistance is needed call 908-613-7829.
Walk-ups for booster shots for all eligible age groups are welcome at both the Warinanco Sports Center and Plainfield High School sites, but appointments are encouraged.
Home-bound residents may be eligible for a home vaccination visit. To make an appointment, call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours.
For details about Union County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics and other resources visit ucnj.org/covid19.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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