Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Shots Available For Infants In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — New bivalent COVID-19 booster shots are now available at all Union County-run clinics for infants and young children — beginning at six months old.

The County Board of Commissioners advises parents and caregivers to ensure that infants and young children are vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are age-eligible.

"The bivalent booster formula protects against the both the original and the Omicron strains of the COVID-19 virus, helping to save lives and prevent severe health outcomes," said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. "By offering the new formula at our clinics, we continue to build on our efforts to provide the Union County community with the latest resources for protecting themselves and their families during the pandemic."

Union County’s free COVID-19 clinics began dispensing the bivalent booster formula for adults and older children earlier this year. The county also continues to provide free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots for all eligible age groups at two clinics in Plainfield and Roselle.

The new bivalent formulas for infants and young children will be available at County-run clinics beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 20 as follows:

• New Moderna bivalent booster for ages 6 months through 5 years: Infants and children ages 6 months to 5 years who have completed the two-shot primary series of the Moderna vaccine are eligible for the Moderna bivalent booster.
• New Pfizer bivalent booster for age 5: Children age 5 who have received all three shots in the three-shot Pfizer vaccine series are eligible for the Pfizer bivalent booster.
• New Pfizer primary vaccine for ages 6 months to 4 years: A new bivalent formula for the Pfizer primary vaccine is also available for infants and children ages 6 months to 4 years, if they have already received the first two shots in the three-shot Pfizer series (the bivalent vaccine replaces the third shot).

Before making an appointment, parents and caregivers are reminded that a two-month waiting period applies between shots.

To view the vaccination and booster schedules at Union County clinics in Plainfield and Roselle, and to make an appointment online, visit ucnj.org/covid19. If additional assistance is needed call the Union County Division of Health at 908-613-7829.

Walk-ins for booster shots are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.

For more details about Union County’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination programs visit ucnj.org/covid19.