News Flash

The Dubuque County Public Health Incident Management Team is advising all county residents ages 12 and older to get the updated/bivalent COVID-19 booster to improve their protection from severe COVID-19 illness.  

These new boosters contain an updated bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and protects against the newer Omicron variants that account for most current cases and are predicted to continue circulating this fall and winter. Updated boosters are intended to provide optimal protection against the virus and address waning vaccine effectiveness over time. 

“There’s no bad time to get the updated booster but now is a great time as we transition to fall and more indoor gatherings and activities,” said Director of the VNA and Interim Executive Director of the Dubuque County Health Department Stacey Killian. “Residents can also get their COVID booster at the same time they get their flu shot.  As seasonal illnesses such as influenza and other respiratory illnesses start to emerge, your immune system can use all the help it can get, including the COVID 19 booster.” 

On September 1, 2022, the CDC issued new recommendations for COVID-19 boosters, after the FDA authorized updated booster formulas from both Pfizer and Moderna. The CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible stay up-to-date on vaccinations by getting an updated booster dose at least two months after their last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose, or since completing their primary series. For maximum effectiveness of the updated booster dose, individuals who recently had COVID-19 may consider delaying any COVID-19 vaccination, including the updated booster dose, by three months from the start of their symptoms or positive test. Pfizer’s updated booster shot is recommended for individuals 12 and older, and Moderna’s updated booster shot is recommended for adults 18 and older. 

Supplies of the updated booster vaccines have increased locally and most Dubuque County health care providers and retail pharmacies are now offering vaccinations. Many vaccine providers are requiring appointments for these vaccinations so residents should check with their provider of choice. A complete list of providers in Dubuque County is available at www.dubuquecounty.org/sleevesup. If you’re unsure of when to get a booster or if you are up to date, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html  

Eligible individuals can get either the Pfizer or Moderna updated booster, regardless of whether their primary series or most recent dose was with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

# # #