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Health Department is hosting an updated COVID booster and Flu vaccine drive on Sept. 24 for  eligible individuals

CASPER, WYOMING (September 12, 2022) – The Casper-Natrona County Health Department  (CNCHD) is issuing updated bivalent booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccine to eligible individuals at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department drive-thru (located directly across the street from the CNCHD office) Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 

Per FDA and CDC guidelines, the CNCHD is administering the new, updated bivalent COVID  booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to individuals who received at least their first and their second dose of the vaccine, at least two months prior and meet any of the following criteria: 1) age 12 and older for Pfizer, 2) age 18 and older for Moderna, 3) at least two months from the second dose of Novavax. 

Please note that updated bivalent booster doses are currently available only to those who have received both the initial two-shot series of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax or the initial shot of  Johnson & Johnson AND have had at least two months pass since their last dose and meet age condition requirements listed above. Anyone who is not of the ages above is not at least two months from their last dose or who did not complete the initial series is not currently eligible for any updated bivalent booster vaccine doses. 

Although booster doses have been available in the past, they are not required in order to get the updated bivalent booster dose. However, it must have been at least two months since your last COVID vaccine dose even if that was a third or fourth booster dose. The new bivalent booster dose available is a different vaccine from the initial and previous booster doses. The new version reflects modifications of the virus over time and combats some of the newer, more transmissible strains. 

“There’s been extensive studies into the bivalent booster doses, including who needs this protection and when they should get it,” CNCHD Public Information Officer Hailey Bloom said.  “Our dedicated staff is ready and excited to administer this layer of defense to the members of our community,” she said. 

To receive an updated bivalent dose, enter the CNCHD alley from the south using Midwest Avenue Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10:00-3:00 for a drive-through vaccination clinic. CNCHD staff will administer vaccines to individuals in their cars. Please bring your ID, vaccine card, and insurance information. Updated bivalent booster doses are free to individuals and insurance is not required. 

Vaccine cards or some form of proof of last vaccination are required for the updated bivalent booster. CNCHD will not be providing updates to cards to reflect the updated booster on the day of the event. However, individuals may come to CNCHD to request an updated vaccination record beginning the week of October 1st during normal business hours.

Additionally, CNCHD will have flu vaccine available for individuals interested in getting their flu shot at the same time. Flu vaccines have been proven safe and effective when administered in conjunction with a COVID vaccine or booster.  

CNCHD will offer both regular flu vaccine for individuals six months of age and older for a cost of $25 and the high dose flu vaccine for individuals sixty-five and older for $75. CNCHD will bill all major insurance for flu vaccine or individuals can pay at the time of receipt. The annual flu vaccine remains one of the most effective ways in preventing more severe effects of seasonal flu. 

Updated bivalent booster doses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at this event. Updated bivalent booster dose appointments are not available, and there is no waitlist at this time. Additional flu shot clinic dates will be announced next week. 

“We know there’s been a lot of public confusion around updated bivalent doses, but the FDA and  CDC have scrupulously examined data, and as everyone knows all too well, COVID changes frequently,” Bloom said. “We’re rolling out updated boosters doses carefully, and vaccines remain our strongest protection against COVID, especially as it continues to change and we head into colder weather months,” Bloom said. 

COVID tests and first and second doses of all COVID vaccines are available for free Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30 at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department, located at 475  S. Spruce Street.