Bivalent Booster Protects Against Original COVID-19 and Omicron Strains
Beginning Monday, September 12th, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) will provide the bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine to eligible residents. The Pfizer bivalent booster dose is authorized for individuals 12 years and older.
The updated bivalent boosters are administered in a single dose and provide protection against the original COVID-19 strains and the Omicron variant. Earlier this month the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) estimated that more than 99% of COVID-19 cases in Texas were Omicron variant cases.
“The bivalent COVID-19 booster doses are another important step forward in fighting COVID-19,” said HCPH’s Local Health Authority Dr. Ericka Brown. “Having the opportunity to provide boosters against Omicron is an important tool to keeping hospitalizations and severe complications low in our county.”
Residents can receive their bivalent booster dose as long as it has been at least two months since they completed any primary COVID-19 vaccine series or gotten a previous booster. We encourage all residents who are uncertain of their COVID-19 vaccination status and eligibility for boosters to work with their health care provider to learn more.
All COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection for most people. A booster vaccine is an additional dose given after the protection provided by the original series has begun to decrease over time. The booster helps certain groups of people maintain their level of immunity longer.
HCPH recommends that individuals utilize the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) online vaccination tool if you or a loved one is curious about which vaccine or booster dose is most appropriate to get.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free at all HCPH designated sites and appointments are not required, although recommended. Visit vacstrac.hctx.net or call 832-927-8787 for scheduling. To find a location near you click here.