Loudoun County Government: Loudoun Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Appointments For 16- And 17-Year-Olds

Ashburn VA

13 December, 2021

6:18 PM

Description

Press release from the Loudoun County Government: December 10, 2021 Loudoun County is now offering appointments for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds at its Dulles Town Center clinic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of a COVID-19 booster dose for 16- and 17-year-olds after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its COVID-19 booster recommendations to include people in this age group. Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old and who received their second dose in the two-dose series of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago are eligible for the booster. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently approved for ages 17 and under. While the county has expanded booster vaccinations to include this age group, the number of available appointments for people 12 and over is currently limited due to high demand. As both the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus continue to spread, health officials say vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19. "Loudoun County, as well as our whole region, is now at the highest level of COVID-19 transmission," said Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend. "Getting initial COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters when eligible, along with indoor mask usage and other mitigation steps, will be critical to staying safe during this winter surge." Vaccination Eligibility In addition to booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds, Loudoun County is offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments for: First and Second Doses: People ages 5 and older who have not yet received their first and/or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Boosters: People ages 18 and older who received the second in a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or who received the J&J vaccine at least two months ago. How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine To make an appointment online for a COVID-19 vaccine at the county's Dulles Town Center site, visit loudoun.gov/covid19vaccine. Anyone without internet access or who needs assistance making an appointment can call the county information line at 703-737-8300 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in the community from many providers, such as medical offices and pharmacies including, but not limited to, CVS, Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart and Wegmans. These locations have the benefit of being able to also provide flu vaccine at the same time, which is recommended by the Health Department. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you. Know When You're Eligible for a Booster Dose This press release was produced by the Loudoun County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.