Linn County Public Health is offering free COVID-19 vaccinations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays behind the Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E, Albany.
All three vaccines are available: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer. Both first and second doses are available, as are Pfizer booster shots.
The patient must be six months past their last COVID-19 vaccine to receive the Pfizer booster. Moderna boosters are not yet available but should be soon, health officials said.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control have announced their booster recommendations. Under these recommendations, approved by the Oregon Health Authority, the following groups qualify for Pfizer booster doses:
— People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings.
— People ages 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (learn more here: https://bit.ly/3mbx0FE).
— People ages 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions.
— People ages 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of an occupational or institutional setting that puts them at higher risk. (This includes health care workers and teachers, for example.)
Only people in these groups who have also received the two-dose series of Pfizer vaccine qualify for a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccines. Pfizer boosters may not be given to Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients.
Appointments are suggested, but walk-ups are welcome. Make appointments at https://bit.ly/3uxUYib.
Stay up-to-date about vaccination recommendations, events and other vaccination options at samhealth.org/GetTheVaccine. If you need help finding or scheduling an appointment, please contact the Samaritan COVID-19 vaccine scheduling assistance line at 855-441-2311.