Berrien Health Department Announces New COVID Vaccination Clinic Schedule

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covid-vaccine-49

The Berrien County Health Department has announced a new COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule starting this week. Emergency preparedness coordinator Brandon Vallee tells WSJM News the adult clinic for ages 12 and older takes place every Tuesday in Benton Harbor and every Thursday in Niles. The children’s clinic for ages 5 to 11 is the first and third Wednesday of the month in Benton Harbor and the second and fourth Wednesday of the month in Niles. There’s a demand.

“Throughout the month of December, about every week it appeared we were getting more and more requests for vaccine clinics, among those children and those who are most vulnerable among us,” Vallee said. “So there’s definitely been a substantial increase in demand right before the holiday season.”

Vallee says with cases high and the Omicron variant spreading, it’s beneficial for everyone to be protected with a vaccine.

“The vaccine is going to help, especially if you get that booster shot because what it does is it reduces the severity of COVID-19. So, the people who are ill with COVID-19 in the hospitals right now, they’re the ones who have chosen to not get a vaccine.”

Kids age five to eleven can get the Pfizer vaccine, kids between 12 and 15 can get their first and second shots, although Vallee says they’re expected to be approved for boosters soon. You can sign up for a clinic at the Berrien County Health Department’s website.