Peninsula Localities, Health Districts and Health Systems Support COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

Operation Vaccinate the Peninsula, a collaboration across local health districts, localities and health systems on the Peninsula, encourages all eligible Virginians to become vaccinated against COVID-19. Residents are also urged to receive a booster dose for further protection if they qualify.   The COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Moderna – have been proven to be safe and effective through rigorous testing and government approval. Vaccines are effective in reducing one’s risk for hospitalization or severe consequences; unvaccinated people are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, according to research by the CDC. Due to the highly contagious Delta variant, third doses and booster shots are recommended for additional protection for community members most at risk. The booster is approved only for those who meet eligibility requirements and who previously received two doses of Pfizer, with the second dose at least six months prior to the booster. Anyone who received the Moderna or J&J vaccine are currently not eligible for the vaccine booster; it is anticipated that Moderna will present information to the FDA in the coming weeks. Boosters are available to individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine for their first two shots and meet one of the following criteria: People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settingsPeople aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditionsPeople aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditionsPeople aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting There is no immediate urgency to receive a booster dose. You still have protection against COVID-19 if you completed your initial two-dose vaccine series. Booster doses are widely available and can maximize protection that may otherwise decrease slightly over time. Eligible individuals can receive a booster dose after they have been fully vaccinated for at least six months. Schedule your vaccine or booster one of the following ways: Visit www.VaccineFinder.org for a list of area clinics and pharmacies offering vaccines.Riverside is administering the Pfizer vaccine and boosters at their flu clinics on the Peninsula, Williamsburg, Middle Peninsula, and the Eastern Shore. Existing Riverside patients can schedule through their Riverside MyChart account. If you are not a Riverside patient or do not have a Riverside MyChart account, you can schedule your 1st, 2nd or 3rd dose or vaccine booster online.  Sentara Medical Group primary care patients will receive updates when booster shot appointments are available in their office. If you are homebound and need to schedule your COVID 1st, 2nd, 3rd dose or vaccine booster, please call the Peninsula Health District Vaccine Strike Team at 757-594-7748. You may leave your name and address to ensure you and each of your family members or caretakers are able to receive the vaccine. For more information about how to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA.