Arlington offering more booster shots as local Covid cases tick down

Arlington County is now offering booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The county’s public health division, which was already offering Pfizer booster shots, made the announcement yesterday (Tuesday). The booster shots are available for adults who received their last jab more than six months ago and who are older than 65, in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, or who work certain high-risk jobs.

The announcement comes as the average rate of new Covid cases in the county has dropped below 25 per day for the first time since early August, down from a peak of about 48 daily cases.

The downward trajectory of cases in Arlington following the delta variant wave has been slow and uneven compared to that of Virginia as a whole, which has an average daily case rate — 1,500 cases per day — well below half of the state’s delta peak.

The rate of serious illness and death from the coronavirus in Arlington, meanwhile, remains relatively low. Twenty Covid-related hospitalizations and six deaths have been reported in the county since the start of October, according to Virginia Dept. of Health data.

The full county press release about the vaccine booster shots is below.

Arlington County Public Health is now offering COVID-19 vaccine boosters for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to certain people by appointment only, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The County also continues to offer boosters of the Pfizer vaccine to certain people.

For people who got the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, a single booster shot is recommended for certain individuals, at least 6 months (180 days) after completion of their primary COVID-19 vaccine series (i.e., first 2 doses):

• People 65 years and older
• Residents 18 years and older in long-term care settings
• People aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions

Additional individuals may receive a booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months (180 days) after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks:

• People aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting

Talk to a healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and whether getting a booster shot is appropriate for you.

For people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a single booster shot is recommended for people 18 and older at least 2 months after the initial dose.

Now that there are booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States–Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson–eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose.

Some people may have a preference to receive the same vaccine product as their primary series, and others may prefer to receive a different booster than their primary series. Deciding which brand to use may depend on which brand is available and an individual benefit-risk assessment. Consider talking to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about which brand of booster to take.

Find Your Vaccine Booster

If you are eligible, you can receive a booster dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 wherever vaccines are available. Options include community vaccination clinics, your healthcare provider, or a pharmacy.

Visit Vaccinate Virginia to find an appointment near you.

Arlington County’s Public Health Division (ACPHD) is offering COVID-19 booster doses at its two clinics by appointment only. Individuals will be asked to attest (confirm) that they are eligible before receiving a booster.

• Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S Dinwiddie St.)
  • Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St S.)
  • Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Both clinics will continue to offer walk-in and scheduled appointments for 1st and 2nd doses of Pfizer and Moderna, and single doses of Johnson & Johnson. All booster doses AND additional doses require an appointment.

Appointments for ACPHD’s clinics can be made online though the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). If you need ADA accommodations or require assistance scheduling your appointment with Arlington County Public Health, call 703-228-7999. For additional assistance, call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682).

Please bring your vaccination card with you to confirm the date and type of vaccine you received and so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.