From the Greenwich Health Department
The Greenwich Dept of Health will be offering the approved updated COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine (Moderna) for adults 18 years and older at two scheduled clinics in October 2022.
The new COVID-19 Booster Vaccine targets two versions of the coronavirus, the original strain and the Omicron sub-variants (BA. 4 & BA.5), which became the dominant subvariants in the U.S over the summer. Accordingly, to federal health officials most of the population should plan on getting an updated COVID-19 shot matched to the strain of the virus that is currently circulating.
The Bivalent Booster Vaccine has been authorized for people 12 years to 17 years old for Pfizer vaccine and 18 years and older for Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. In addition, persons must have had their last vaccine COVID-19 Booster shot or their last vaccination of the Pfizer, Moderna vaccination series or the one initial vaccination of Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least 2 months (8 weeks) past the last shot to receive the Bivalent Booster vaccine. If a person is getting vaccinated for the first time they need to get the original COVID-19 vaccine and not a Booster Vaccination. Accordingly, to the CDC the new mRNA Booster vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer) will provide better protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death. The previous COVID-19 Booster Vaccines only targeted the original version of the coronavirus.
Director of Health Caroline Calderone Baisley said, “Getting the new Bivalent Booster Vaccine is a step in the right direction for better protection against the COVID-19 subvariants that are in circulation. Omicrons subvariant BA. 5 is highly contagious and if you got COVID-19 disease prior to the subvariants circulation you can get COVID-19 again if exposed to the subvariant.
In addition, if you had a booster shot or several boosters shots in the past, the subvariant BA. 5 has the ability to break through a person’s immunity very successfully. Booster vaccinations bolster the bodies antibody levels to fight infection. Prior to the Omicron Virus variant arriving late in December 2021 reinfection of COVID-19 disease was rare. However, once Omicron emerged immunity gained from prior COVID-19 infection and vaccinations only provided 50% protection against reinfection.”
Registration for the COVID-19 Bivalent Moderna Booster Clinics is required by making an
appointment through the online appointment system, VAMS. Walk- ins to the COVID-19 Bivalent Booster clinics will not be accepted. The VAMS system can be accessed by clicking on this link:
https://vams.cdc.gov/?jurisdiction=CT
COVID-19 Bivalent Moderna Booster Eligibility
• Age 18 years and older
• Individuals must have received one of the following vaccinations groups 2 months (8 weeks) prior to getting the Booster shot.
– Must have completed their two shots series of the Pfizer or the Moderna COVID-19
Vaccine
OR
– Must have received one shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
OR
– Must have received their First Booster Shot of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine
OR
– Must have received their Second Booster shot of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine
VAMS Registration
• Click on the VAMS link provided above
• Choose the box that says Schedule Your Vaccination Appointment
• Select a State you wish to be vaccinated in (CT)
• Check the box that says COVID-19 Vaccine/ Select the vaccine (should be COVID-19 vaccine for adults age12 and older
• Choose the first item – COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Booster Dose
• Then choose which vaccine dose you will be getting (first, second, or third). Note if you had two booster shots you will be getting your third booster shot at the clinic.
• Then put in a zip code (for Greenwich 06830)
• Click on Greenwich Health Department and then click Next
• Choose your appointment date and time and don’t forget to hit Submit
COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Clinic Requirements
• Must be registered in VAMS for attendance at the clinic. Appointments only, no walk-ins accepted.
• Must have proof of COVID-19 Vaccination example CDC vaccination card or a hard copy of your vaccination records (Connecticut residents can obtain a copy of their vaccination record on this portal:
https://ctwiz.dph.ct.gov/ctwiz_public/Application/PublicPortal Out of State clinic participants must bring some proof of vaccinations.
• Must Must have identification that confirms who you are as it relates to your proof of COVID-19
Vaccination.
• Must for 15 minutes after receiving the Bivalent Moderna Booster Vaccine.
• Masks are recommended and preferred when attending the clinic.
If there are any question, contact the Department of Health. Please leave your name and contact number if no one answers. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.