Where can you find a COVID-19 booster shot in and around Norwich?
With a cold weather surge in COVID-19 cases happening amid fears of the recently identified Omnicron variant, vaccine demand is increasing in Connecticut and nationwide.
"We have been fielding calls daily for people interested in the booster shot," Uncas Health District Director Patrick McCormack said in an email Monday. "We also had a number of walk-ins for the booster at our clinic this past Saturday."
McCormack said his office is not aware of any cases of the Omnicron variant within the regional health district, which consists of 11 cities and towns including Norwich. The new variant could be a factor in driving added vaccine interest locally, he said.
"Certainly, the omicron variant created a renewed interest in all COVID-19 vaccines...including boosters," he said.
There are 50 locations within 25 miles of Norwich offering vaccine doses, including booster shots.
Who is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot?
All individuals 18 and over can receive booster shots of the three authorized COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson – regardless of the type of shot they initially received at least six months prior.
Those 18 and over who were initially vaccinated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is given in a single dose, are eligible for a booster at least two months after their first shot and can likewise choose from any of the three.
For 16 and 17-year olds, the latest age demographic to get official authorization from U.S. Food and Drug Administration to receive a booster shot, only a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine dose is available at least 6 months after the initial vaccination series is complete.
Visit the CDC website for more information about COVID-19 booster shots.
Where can you get a booster shot in Norwich?
There are multiple options for Norwich-area residents seeking a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The best way to find a provider is to use the Centers for Disease Control's “vaccine finder” tool on the vaccines.gov website. After entering a zip code, the tool’s search function displays vaccine availability locally and allows users to select and view the type of vaccine they are seeking. The results are updated every six hours.
Beyond the computer-search function, a call to the state’s 211 phone number will also provide information on local vaccine availability.
Finally, local, regional, and district health centers can be contacted to find vaccination supply information for residents of Connecticut.
Uncas Health Director Timothy McCormack said Friday the non-profit provider does offer booster shots, along with primary vaccination doses, for those seeking them.
“We do offer boosters here ... people can feel free to call us at the office 860-823-1189 and request a booster dose,” he told The Bulletin.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Where can you find a COVID-19 booster shot in Eastern Connecticut?
