Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
COVID-19 booster shots have now been approved for all adults over the age of 18 and are available through Crook County Public Health.
On Friday, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Rochelle P. Walensky endorsed the expanded recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also authorized the booster shots.
Boosters are now available to anyone over the age of 18 who received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
“Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays,” said Walensky.
“Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”
According to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), more than 55,000 adults in Wyoming have now received a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna.
“COVID-19 vaccines continue to be safe and effective against COVID-19, including the variants, and are especially protecting against severe illness. We’re learning that a single booster dose for fully vaccinated adults can enhance and extend the strong protection these vaccines provide,” said state health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist.
“Enhanced protection offered by booster doses is especially important for those most likely to experience severe illness or exposure to the virus. The risk for serious COVID-19 illness increases with age and is affected by certain medical conditions or pregnancy.”
The medical conditions believed to increase the risk of serious illness, according to the CDC, includes cancer, chronic kidney, liver or lung disease, dementia, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart conditions, HIV, an immunocompromised state, mental health conditions, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking, organ or blood stem cell transplant, stroke or cerebrovascular disease, substance use disorders and tuberculosis.
Harrist issued a reminder on Friday that, “Wyoming’s low vaccination rates continue to make too many of our residents vulnerable to the aggressive Delta variant. We continue to see more case counts, hospitalizations and deaths than we should.”
Harrist encouraged anyone who has not yet been vaccinate to consider doing so, and those who have been fully vaccinated to take a booster dose. Pfizer vaccines are now authorized for children aged 12 and above, while Pfizer vaccines tailored to children aged five to 12 are also available.
Crook County Public Health will be hosting a booster clinic for anyone over the age of 18 at Central Office in Sundance on December 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and December 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All three types of vaccine will be available.
FEMA will also be sponsoring a vaccine clinic on December 3 at the shooting sports building, which will feature the Pfizer vaccine and will be open to both adults and children over the age of five from noon to 5 p.m.
