The Burlington County Health Department is expanding eligibility to its Friday COVID-19 vaccine clinic to all ages following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that seniors 65 and older obtain another dose of the new updated vaccine.
The clinics are held each Friday afternoon from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Health Department offices at 15 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Previously, the County clinics were limited to young children and others who are either uninsured or severely underinsured, however, eligibility is now expanded to any resident 6 months and older, beginning with the Friday, April 5 clinic.
Appointments are still required and can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/BCHDCOVIDVAX .
Burlington County Health Department Director Dr. Herb Conaway said the change reflects the CDC’s latest recommendation that seniors 65 and older who received the latest COVID-19 booster in the fall should obtain a second dose of the booster shot this spring to guard against waning protection.
“The updated COVID-19 vaccine provides the best available protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes, but we know the shot’s effectiveness can diminish over time, so seniors and immunocompromised patients who are most at-risk are encouraged to get a second dose,” Dr. Conaway said. “While pharmacies and physician offices are still the primary destination for COVID vaccinations, our Health Department is here to help meet demand and ensure all Burlington County residents have access to its proven protection, including people without adequate health insurance.”
Both Moderna and Pfizer-Biontech shots are offered at the County clinics. Residents 65 and older who already received the updated 2023-24 vaccine are eligible for a second dose if four months has lapsed since their last shot.
Insurance information will be collected but there will not be any out-of-pocket costs to residents.
In addition to the Friday clinics, the Health Department also continues to travel throughout the county to administer vaccine to homebound residents who are unable to visit a doctor or pharmacy.
More than 22,000 people have been vaccinated directly by the Health Department since 2020, including more than 8,900 adults over 55 and more than 3,000 children under the age of 11. A total of 1,200 homebound adults have also received COVID-19 vaccine directly by the Health Department.
“It’s been more than four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and our Health Department has continuously provided our residents with the kind of resources needed to protect themselves and their communities. Our Health Department staff and volunteers like our Medical Reserve Corps continue to deliver for our residents and we’re grateful for them,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell, the liaison to the Health Department. “Expanding eligibility for our weekly vaccine clinics is another example of the important services the Health Department offers. We want residents to take advantage of it to better protect themselves and their loved ones.”