DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that COVID-19 booster shots developed against the Omicron variant will be available at pharmacies and clinics throughout the District, starting Wednesday, September 7.
DC Health and Bowser encouraged residents to get vaccinated against both Omicron and influenza at the same time.
To receive either one of the COVID-19 booster vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna in DC:
- You can visit a pharmacy, walk-up vaccine clinic, or COVID Center
- You can make an appointment with your healthcare provider
- You can make an appointment for at-home vaccination by calling 1-855-363-0333
- You can visit the vaccines.gov website for more options
Residents 12 years or older can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least two months after their first series of vaccination or another booster dose.
Moderna’s booster, on the other hand, is recommended for those 18 years of age and older.
The bivalent booster vaccine (also known as “updated booster”) protects the recipient against the original COVID-19 virus, as well as the latest and more contagious variants like Omicron BA.4 and BA.5.
On August 31, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has authorized the emergency use of both Moderna’s and Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent formulations.
In the meantime, the annual flu vaccine is recommended for individuals six months and older.