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

MANCHESTER, NJ — Booster shots, available at pharmacies/clinics in Manchester, 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 New Jersey.

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.

Booster shots are available at these sites in the Manchester area; some require appointments:

Ocean County Health Department clinics (appointments preferred)

Ocean County Health Department offices, 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River

RWJ Barnabas Healthcare Arena/TRHS North, 1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

Southern Regional Middle School, 75 Cedar Bridge Road, Manahawkin
3 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays

Ocean County Transportation Services Complex, via Visiting Nurses Association, 2820 Ridgeway Blvd., Manchester
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays

Also:

• Community Medical Center, 99 Route 37, Toms River
• Ocean Health Initiatives, 686 Route 70, Lakehurst
• Whiting Pharmacy, 200 Lacey Road, Whiting
• CVS, 51 Bananier Drive, Toms River
• CVS, 1357 Lakewood Road, Toms River
• CVS, 421 Lacey Road, Whiting
• CVS, 505 Route 530, Whiting
• CVS, 198 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood
• Rite Aid, 31 Mule Road, Toms River
• Rite Aid, 2101 Route 70, Manchester
• Rite Aid, 86 B Lacey Road, Whiting
• Walgreens, 500 Route 530, Whiting
• Walmart, 950 Route 37 W, Toms River

You can make appointments for these sites or find others through the COVID-19 vaccine finder on the state COVID-19 website.

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