Mayor Bowser announced that starting Wednesday, Sept. 7, omicron-specific boosters will be available at pharmacies, clinics, for home appointments, and at COVID centers in all eight wards. 

The FDA authorized the boosters for emergency use for those 12 and older on Wednesday. The updated Moderna-branded booster is currently only authorized for adults 18 years or older, but the Pfizer brand can be used for individuals aged 12 and up, according to the FDA. Patients are eligible for this updated dose at least two months after their primary or last booster vaccination.

The bivalent vaccine is a mix of two versions of vaccines. It contains two mRNA components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, one is the original strain, and the other is in common with BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of omicron. These updated boosters are expected to provide increased protection against the omicron variants. Patients can expect similar side effects as with the original COVID-19 vaccine, including potential fever, headache, and fatigue.

Meanwhile, the influenza vaccine will be available in D.C. starting next week, and is available for anyone six months and older. DC Health is encouraging residents to get the flu shot and their COVID booster at the same time.

Maryland will also be administering the new booster starting next week: The state’s department of health has pre-ordered 157,000 doses, according to a press release. The state is also launching a new call and text-based outreach campaign through its GoVax Call Center, in addition to its homebound vaccination appointments. Representatives from the Maryland Department of Health encouraged residents to ask their health providers for the booster and vaccine locations can be found here.

Virginia pre-ordered 141,700 doses with vaccines shipped on Thursday, Sept. 1 to local health districts. Administration is expected to start by next week. Residents can register at Vaccinate.Virginia.gov, contact their call center at 877-829-4682, or ask their healthcare provider.