COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Dallas, Hiram

DALLAS-HIRAM, GA — Booster shots, available at pharmacies and clinics in Dallas and Hiram, are the best defense against COVID-19 illnesses as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads across the country, according to health officials.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant — infections among the vaccinated — are less common among people who have received their third vaccination shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The omicron variant, first reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, has been detected in all but a handful of states, including Georgia.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said Friday the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots work well against the omicron variant and that there’s no need for a specific vaccine to fight it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the omicron variant is likely to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the coming weeks. It currently represents 3 percent of new infections.

Public health officials are concerned that vaccination rates — currently 61 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, and only 28 percent have gotten booster shots — are insufficient to fend off a fifth wave of the coronavirus. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing, with about 120,000 new cases and 1,200 deaths reported each day, mainly from the delta variant.

Each vaccine manufacturer has different rules for booster shots:

• Pfizer-BioNTech: Those age 16 and older are eligible for a booster six months or more after their initial two-dose series.
• Moderna: Those age 18 and older are eligible for a booster six months or more after their initial two-dose series.
• J&J: Those age 18 and older are eligible for a booster two months or more after their initial vaccine.

To get a booster shot in or near Dallas-Hiram, go to:

Paulding County Health Department
471 Jimmy Lee Parkway, Dallas
770-445-7881
Hours: Tuesday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Appointments recommended but not required. To book an appointment, call the location at 770-445-7881.

The Little Clinic
455 Nathan Dean Blvd., Dallas
770-505-3837
Appointments required. To book an appointment, call the location at 770-505-3837.

Walgreens
303 Charlie Watts Drive, Dallas
4519 Dallas Acworth Highway, Dallas
4442 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram
Appointments required. To book an appointment, visit Walgreens.com.

CVS Pharmacy
495 Charles Hardy Parkway, Dallas
51 Seven Hills Blvd., Dallas
5220 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Suite 118, Hiram
Appointments available but not required. To book an appointment, visit CVS.com.

Publix Pharmacy
51 E. Paulding Drive, Dallas
7953 Villa Rica Highway, Dallas
80 Seven Hills Blvd., Dallas
Appointments available, but not required. To book an appointment, visit publix.com/covid-vaccine.

Costco
1715 Charles Hardy Parkway, Dallas
Appointments available, but not required. To book an appointment, visit costco.com.

Walmart
4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram
3615 Charles Hardy Parkway, Dallas
Appointments available, but not required. To book an appointment, visit walmart.com.

Sam's Club
4798 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram
Appointments available, but not required. To book an appointment, visit samsclub.com.

Kroger Pharmacy
8876 Dallas Acworth Highway, Dallas
4815 Ridge Road, Douglasville
Appointments required. To book an appointment, visit kroger.com.

The CDC says Pfizer and Moderna booster shots both provide increased protection against COVID-19 and helped prevent severe symptoms in breakthrough cases. Check vaccine availability online at vaccines.gov.