More and more vaccine clinics across the region are offering shots to walk-ups as well as scheduled appointments, as vaccine supplies surpass demand for shots.

Tyrone Turner / WAMU/DCist

Kids as young as five years old can now get the updated COVID-19 booster shot that targets the highly contagious omicron subvariants, after it received federal approval.

Experts say it’s important that everyone who’s fully vaccinated get the updated booster (called bivalent shots) because the previous COVID-19 shots only targeted the original version of the virus that causes COVID-19 and was identified in January 2020. Since then, the virus has mutated a lot, and the updated shots protect against both the original virus as well as the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.

The federal government recommended updated boosters for people 12 and older in September and expanded eligibility to more children last week.

The CDC recommends getting the booster if it has been at least two months since their last vaccine dose (primary series or original monovalent booster).  However, if you’ve recently had COVID-19, the CDC suggests waiting up to three months before getting boosted, unless the risk to your personal health compels you to get the shot sooner.

The federal government can assist you with finding pharmacies and health centers that offer the bivalent shots on the website vaccines.gov. Many private physicians are offering the updated booster shot in their office. Local government options listed below:

D.C.

The bivalent shots manufactured by both Pfizer and Moderna are available at the city’s COVID Centers, according to DC Health. The centers began offering the Moderna shots to people 6 to 17 last Friday, Oct. 14 and Pfizer shots to children 5 to 11 on Monday, Oct. 17.

There’s a COVID center in every ward, where people can get vaccinated and tested, and centers are usually open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s at least a few centers open during the weekend. Check coronavirus.dc.gov or DC Health’s Twitter for details and updates.

A pre-scheduled appointment is not required.

D.C. has seen a struggle in getting residents boosted, which tracks with the rest of the country. Roughly 46% of the local population over 5 years old received their first booster, according to the CDC. The U.S. has an overall booster rate of 49%.

Maryland

Vaccination sites run by the state health department do not yet have the bivalent shots for the newly eligible age group, 5 to 11 year olds. The two in Prince George’s County — Cheverly Health Center and Maternal and Child Health Center of Laurel — only have the updated boosters (both Pfizer and Moderna) for people ages 12 and over. Make sure to schedule an appointment beforehand.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County health department-run vaccine sites have the Moderna bivalent shots for people 5 and older. The health department is waiting on Pfizer shipment, specifically for 5 to 11 year olds, which is expected to arrive sometime this week, according to spokesperson Mary Anderson.

The state has a booster rate higher than the nationwide average. Roughly 55% of the local population over 5 received their first booster dose, according to the CDC.

Virginia

The state health department announced Monday that vaccines are available for the new age cohort, 5 to 11, and recommended people go to vaccinate.virginia.gov to schedule an appointment.

Each county’s supply varies. The Arlington County vaccine clinic only has Pfizer bivalent boosters for people 12 and older and the Moderna version for people 18 and older, while the Alexandria Health Department only appears to have the original shots for a patient’s primary series. Fairfax is scheduling appointments for the new age cohort.

Roughly 51% of the local population over 5 received their first booster dose, according to the CDC.

Filed Under: boosters, COVID pandemic,