By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Karla Nichols with the Reno County Health Department wants adults who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot to get one.
"The CDC did authorize those that had previously gotten a Moderna or a Johnson & Johnson primary dose or completed their series, that they are now eligible for a booster dose," Nichols said. "Now, it is Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, if you received those doses, you are now eligible for a booster dose, Specifically, if you are 65 and older, if you are 18 and older who live in a long term care setting, if you're 18 and older and have underlying medical conditions, or if you're 18 and older and live in high-risk settings or work in high-risk settings."
You are eligible if it has been six months since the second dose of a two-shot series, or if you had the single Johnson & Johnson, you can get a booster two months later.
"We're currently giving those at the First United Methodist Church," Nichols said. "We do ask you to schedule. We want to make sure this is a good experience and so, we don't want everybody waiting in line and waiting a long time, so we ask you to schedule. That is online at renogov.org. Go online and schedule an appointment."
The online system works the same as it did for the large pods last year at the Sports Arena. They aren't planning as of now to do that again, but if you were part of one of those, it's been long enough to get your booster.
"They just don't know yet if this will be an annual thing, or if this is a one time and done," Nichols said. "We don't know yet. We know that the efficacy for those 65 plus, it's starting to wane, meaning it is time for a booster dose. We want to, especially if you're 65 plus, please go see somebody. Please get your booster dose to be sure you have ongoing protection through this fall and winter season."
You can also get a flu shot at the same time, as long as you ask ahead. The COVID-19 vaccine is also available at Dillons, Walmart, Walgreens, The Hutchinson Clinic, and the Medicine Shoppe.