Booster doses of the bivalent Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now being distributed by the Berrien County Health Department. The boosters provide greater protection against the predominant COVID-19 strain along with the Omicron variant and its subvariants. Those are responsible for most current COVID-19 cases in the state. The US Food and Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorization for bivalent COVID-19 boosters on September 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine for ages 12 and older and the Moderna bivalent vaccine for ages 18 and older. Monovalent vaccines are no longer recommended for booster doses and will not be available through BCHD. Monovalent vaccines will still be used for primary vaccine doses. The boosters are available at all BCHD regular COVID-19 vaccine clinics, which are every Tuesday for people 12 and older at the Benton Harbor office from 3-4 pm. They are also available at vaccine clinics in Niles every Thursday from 3-5 pm. Appointments are required.
