COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Germantown

GERMANTOWN, MD — Booster shots, available at pharmacies and clinics in Germantown, 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 Maryland.

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.

To get a booster shot in Germantown, go to:

NOTE: These are locations offering vaccines according to Maryland's database. Please check the website or call ahead to see about availability.

Montgomery County Health & Human Services - Montgomery College Germantown Campus - 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876

Medical Access, Germantown - 12321 Middlebrook Road, suite 101, Germantown, MD 20874

Giant Food Germantown - 13060 Middlebrook Road Germantown, MD 20874

Giant Food Germantown - 18331 Leaman Farm Rd Germantown MD 20874

Giant Food Germantown - 20944 Frederick Road Germantown, MD 20876

Safeway Germantown - 19718 Germantown Road Germantown MD 20874

CVS Germantown - 12825 Wisteria Dr, Germantown, MD 20874

CVS Germantown - 20908 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876

CVS Germantown - 19901 Frederick Rd., Germantown, MD 20876

CVS Germantown - 18080 Mateny Rd, Cloppers Mill S/C, Germantown, MD 20874

Walgreens Germantown - 19927 Century Blvd Germantown MD 20874

Wegman's Pharmacy #056 Germantown - 20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway Germantown, MD 20876

Walmart Germantown - 20910 Frederick Rd Germantown MD 20876

The CDC says Pfizer and Moderna booster shots both provide increased protection against COVID-19 and helped prevent severe symptoms in breakthrough cases.