Everyone 18 And Older Should Get Their COVID Booster: Health Dept

TUCSON, AZ — The Pima County Health Department advises that everyone who is 18 and older and eligible get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible.

"We are seeing some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations since the surge last winter," said Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen in a news release. "It is likely that all residents in Pima County can be exposed to COVID-19 where they live or work, and that is why we urge 18 years and older to get their booster."

Boosters are available at Pima County-sponsored vaccination sites to anyone over 18, as long as it has been six months since their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two months since their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the news release. Private pharmacies and other sites may be following federal guidelines, which are more restrictive.

Much like the rest of the country, Pima County has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 transmission over the past month, according to the news release.

As of last Thursday, Pima County was seeing 305 cases per 100,000 people. There have been 4,600 reported cases of COVID-19 in Pima County schools since July 20, including more than 140 separate outbreaks.

Cases in schools make up around 15 percent of total reported cases in the county this school year, compared to 4 percent of total cases last school year.

From February through October, the county has seen around 7,600 breakthrough cases of COVID-19, or cases in people who have been vaccinated. That makes for a breakthrough case rate of 1.2 percent.

"The boosters will keep your immunity up, which, in turn, offers great protection against hospitalization and cuts down on the transmissibility of the disease," Cullen said.

Pima County Health Department strongly recommends that even people who are vaccinated wear masks in indoor public places because of the high transmission rate in the Tucson area. The health department also recommends frequent hand washing and that people who are sick stay at home.

Click here for a full list of county-sponsored vaccination dates and locations.

Here's a list of places giving out all three boosters and shots for kids ages 5-11 with no appointment needed:

Abrams Public Health Center
3950 S. Country Club
10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday

Theresa Lee Health Center
1493 W. Commerce Court
8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

North clinic
3550 N. 1st Ave.
8 a.m.-noon Monday
8 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday

East clinic
6920 E. Broadway
8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and Thursday
8 a.m. to noon Tuesday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday