March 30, 2022

FDA Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals. The FDA previously authorized a single booster dose for certain immunocompromised individuals following completion of a three-dose primary vaccination series. This action will now make a second booster dose of these vaccines available to other populations at higher risk for severe disease, hospitalization and death. Emerging evidence suggests that a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe COVID-19 and is not associated with new safety concerns.

Although the FDA has approved the second COVID-19 boosters for ages 50 and up, the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) has not received orders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) yet. Once that happens OCHD plans to offer booster shots at their two vaccine clinics. This change will be announced on our social media and website when second boosters for this age range become available at our clinics.

The agency amended the emergency use authorizations as follows: 

• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
• A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
• A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! Walk-ins are welcome! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot, or call (919) 913-8088 with any questions. 

Ages 5 and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Break the Stigma About Seeking Mental Health Resources

This free, in-person event is a chance to meet a diverse group of mental health professionals and learn about mental health resources available in Orange County. 

DATE: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call (919) 968-2087 by Friday, April 1st to reserve your spot.

Joins us for a Gaines Chapel Block Party!

WHEN: Saturday, April 2nd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

WHERE: Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church, 4024 US 70 West, Efland, NC 27243

Free COVID-19 Testing 

• Drive thru testing takes place in the parking lot in front of the Dept. of Social Services (DSS) at 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 
• Registration is strongly recommended and may be done online: mako.exchange/scheduler/registration/?location=7087 You may also call (919) 913-8088 to register weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-in are also welcome.
• Your Booking ID will be valid any day during clinic hours and is reusable.
• Mako offers only PCR tests.  

• Testing takes place at Southern Human Services Center (SHSC) at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 in the large conference room, which may be accessed via a side entrance, not the main entrance.
• Registration may be done online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 877-562-4850. Walk-in are also welcome.
• Optum offers both PCR and rapid tests.   
• You may find other testing locations here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-covid-19-tests

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 2,627,220 COVID-19 cases, 23,194 deaths and 501 hospitalizations. 62% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 26,026 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 124 deaths in Orange County. 79% of Orange County residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website. 

Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. 

More information may be found at www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

Contact Information

For general questions (not urgent) about COVID-19, contact NCDHHS at: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov or 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about coronavirus from the public.

If you are an individual or a medical practice with questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Department at (919) 913-8088 weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2462.

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Email: covid19@orangecountync.gov
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC

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