Published: 12/15/2022 11:27:43 PM
Modified: 12/15/2022 11:27:15 PM
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Vermont Department of Health has extended the hours of some of its vaccination clinics this month in order to increase opportunities for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, according to a Thursday news release.
The extended hours include evenings and weekends through the end of this month. The clinics offer primary and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as flu shots.
Beginning as soon as Monday, some of the clinics will be offering the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine newly approved for eligible children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Children in that age group are eligible for the updated vaccine if they received both doses of the original Moderna vaccine at least two months ago or if they only received two of the three original Pfizer doses.
The extended hours push comes as the state’s walk-in clinics are slated to close by the end of next month. Vaccines will continue to be available, at no cost to the patient, by appointment at doctors’ offices and pharmacies. People without a primary care provider or access to a pharmacy, can contact their local health department office. The White River Junction office can be reached at 888-253-8799, 802-295-8820 or AHS.VDHOLHWhiteRiverJunction@vermont.gov.
Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 or the flu, including people over age 50, and those with certain medical conditions, according to the department’s release. Children under 5 are also at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu, which is currently on the rise in Vermont.
More information, including locations, dates and times of the clinics, is available online at: healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine.