Omicron Boosters In Union County: How To Get The New COVID Vaccine

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The CDC recently signed off on the new COVID-19 booster shot, which is designed to better protect against the currently circulating omicron subvariants.

With the boosters getting delivered to vaccine providers, more than 800 sites will offer the new boosters in the coming days, according to state officials. This will include vaccine sites throughout Union County.

The vaccines target both the original COVID strain and the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants. BA.5 accounts for nearly 90 percent of new COVID infections in the United States, according to the CDC's estimates.

The Pfizer booster received emergency authorization for ages 12 and older, while the Moderna booster will become available for people 18 and up. People can get the bivalent booster if they're at least two months removed from completing their initial COVID vaccination series or receiving their most recent booster. See info on vaccine eligibility.

Federal health agencies also expect to recommend updated COVID boosters for other pediatric groups in the coming weeks.

"COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective and continue to protect against serious illness and save lives," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. "With children back in school and the upcoming fall and winter holidays, the new bivalent vaccine will give New Jerseyans additional protections against these highly transmissible subvariants."

New Jersey's COVID vaccine appointment finder doesn't let users search specifically for the bivalent vaccines as of Sunday morning. But a notice on the webpage says the following: "Bivalent boosters are now available to anyone ages 12 and up at many vaccine sites. To schedule an appointment for this updated booster, select a location and visit their website to see if they are currently offering the bivalent booster at this time."

Here are some locations around Union County offering COVID vaccines, according to the state's appointment finder:

• Bells Pharmacy: 17 N Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
• ACME PHARMACY DEPT. 1096: 801 BOULEVARD, KENILWORTH, NJ, 07033
• Walgreens: 50 SOUTH AVE W, CRANFORD, NJ, 07016
• CVS: 2690 Us Hwy 22 E, Union, NJ 07083
• CVS: 315 North Ave., Garwood, NJ 07027
• Walmart: 900 Springfield Rd, Union, NJ 7083
• TAMAV IRINI INC: 300 SOUTH AVE, GARWOOD, NJ, 07027
• Riverside Medical Group Urgent Care Center - Springfield: 200 US Highway 22, Springfield, NJ 07081
• Atlantic Urgent Care at Clark: 140 Central Avenue Clark, NJ 07066
• Walgreens: 142 CENTRAL AVENUE, CLARK, NJ, 07066

Find contact info and more information on the state's vaccine appointment finder.