Second COVID-19 Booster Available To Certain Groups In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A second COVID-19 booster dose is available in Alexandria to eligible groups after federal recommendation.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommended a second booster shot for people 50 and older and certain immunocompromised people. The second booster is recommended at least four months after the initial booster dose, whether it be the Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The expanded eligibility for boosters is focused on groups at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

There is no second booster recommended for people under 50 who are not immunocompromised. The initial booster dose is recommended for ages 12 and older.

While vaccination rates are high in Alexandria, there is a smaller percentage of people with booster doses. According to the Virginia Department of Health, 83.1 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated while 43.9 percent have a booster dose. For the 12-17 age group, 98.1 percent are fully vaccinated and 30.2 percent have a booster dose.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free regardless of insurance. Alexandria Health Department clinics are available at alexandriava.gov/Vaccines. Other providers can be found be searching your ZIP code at www.vaccines.gov.