Omicron Boosters In Parsippany: How To Get The New COVID Vaccine

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The newly authorized COVID-19 boosters — designed to better protect against the currently circulating omicron subvariants — will soon become available in Parsippany.

New Jersey received allocations of both the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent boosters, which the CDC signed off on Thursday. 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.

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 Friday afternoon. 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 Parsippany offering COVID vaccines, according to the state's appointment finder:

• Wegmans (34 Sylvan Way, Parsippany), vaccines for ages 12 and older
• Walgreens (200 Baldwin Rd., Parsippany), 12 and older
• CVS (1157 Route 46, Parsippany), 3 and older
• CVS (3503 Route 46, Parsippany), 3 and older
• Greenhill Pharmacy (164 Parsippany Rd., Parsippany), 12 and older
• Rite Aid (480 N Beverwyck Rd., Lake Hiawatha), 12 and older
• CVS (410 Route 10, Whippany), 3 and older
• Walmart (300 Wootton St., Boonton), 12 and older
• Walgreens (600 Myrtle Ave., Boonton), 5 and older
• Changebridge Medical Associates (170 Changebridge Rd., Montville), 6 months and older

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