Younger kids in SLO County can now get COVID Omicron booster shots. Here’s what to know
Younger kids in San Luis Obispo County can now receive COVID-19 booster shots that target the Omicron variant.
Children ages 12 and older have had access to the Omicron-targeted booster since early September, but those in the 5-to-11 age group are newly eligible as of Oct. 12, according to a news release from San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department.
“Like the flu shot, this booster teaches your body to protect you from the virus strains circulating right now,” county Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “This added protection will help families stay healthy as we look ahead to holiday gatherings and seek to avoid a winter surge.”
Elementary school-aged children have two booster options. Children ages 6 and older can receive the Moderna booster, while children 5 and older can receive the Pfizer version of the vaccine, the release said.
Even children who already received the primary vaccine series or previous booster can receive the new Omicron booster, the county said.
Children are eligible for the booster two months after completing the primary series or after receiving the previous booster dose, with the Omicron booster replacing the previous booster, according to the release.
When and where can children receive Omicron boosters?
Omicron boosters for children will be available at the following times and locations.
- 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nipomo Library Community Room, 918 W Tefft St. in Nipomo
- 3 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Santa Rosa Church, 1174 Main St. in Cambria
- 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Iglesia Linaje Escogido (with Latino Health Coalition Health Fair), 2050 Ironwood Ave. in Morro Bay
- 3 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Grover Beach Public Health Clinic, 286 S. 16th St., Building A, in Grover Beach
- 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Oak Park Resident Center, 901 30th St. in Paso Robles
- 3 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Paso Robles Health Clinic, 805 4th St. in Paso Robles
- 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 at Santa Rosa Academic Academy, 8651 Santa Rosa Road in Atascadero
- 1:20 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Shandon High School, 101 South First St. in Shandon
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in Grover Beach, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
To make an appointment, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
Testing is administered at 1336 Ramona Ave., Suite A, in Grover Beach; 800 Pine St. in Paso Robles and 801 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo.
To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, call 805-781-5500 or the clinic site to schedule an appointment .
The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters by appointment at public health clinics in Grover Beach, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. To find shots at pharmacies near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
Vaccines are administered at the Grover Beach clinic at 286 South 16th St., the Paso Robles clinic at 805 4th St. and the San Luis Obispo clinic at 2191 Johnson Ave.
Residents who are home-bound can request in-home vaccination services from the county. Call Public Health at 805-781-5500 or visit slopublichealth.org/homevaccine to schedule an appointment.
For more information on clinic hours, visit slocounty.ca.gov/COVID-19/Vaccines.
This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Younger kids in SLO County can now get COVID Omicron booster shots. Here’s what to know."
