Loudoun to offer J&J and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses

The Virginia Department of Health has authorized local health districts to begin administering booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson  and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain individuals as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

In addition, the CDC and VDH have approved a “mix and match” approach to boosters, allowing people to receive a different brand of vaccine for the booster dose than what they received in their initial vaccine series. For example, someone who received the one-dose J&J vaccine could receive either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as a booster.

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 23, Loudoun County will begin offering booster doses of the Moderna and J&J vaccines to the recommended groups, in addition to the previously approved Pfizer vaccine booster, at its Dulles Town Center clinic by appointment only. 

“Boosters doses will provide added protection to recommended groups who are fully vaccinated, but it remains critical that unvaccinated people also get their first doses as soon as possible,” said Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend. “Loudoun County continues to have substantial transmission of the virus in our community, which can be slowed by getting even more people vaccinated.”

To date, more than 543,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in Loudoun County, and more than 263,000 are fully vaccinated. Additionally, more than 14,000 booster and third doses have been provided so far.

Who Can Get Booster Shots Now

J&J: Anyone who received the J&J vaccine can receive a booster dose of any of the three vaccine types at least two months following their initial vaccination.

Moderna and Pfizer: Anyone who received their initial two-dose series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least six months (180 days) ago is eligible for a booster dose of any of the three types of vaccine if they are in any the groups approved by the CDC and authorized by VDH, which are:

• People 65 years and older.  
• Residents of long-term care facilities.
• People 18-64 years old with underlying medical conditions.
• People 18-64 years old who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings, such as, but not limited to, health care workers and caregivers for frail or immunocompromised people

Residents seeking a vaccine booster are not required to offer any proof of risk.

In addition to boosters, Loudoun County continues to offer vaccination appointments to:

• Residents who are 12 and older and have not yet received their first and/or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Residents who are moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals and are recommended by the CDC for a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11

Right now, COVID-19 vaccination for children under 12 years is not yet authorized. The Loudoun County Health Department is planning for the expected approval of the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5–11 years old. The necessary federal approvals for vaccinating this group of children are expected by early November.

How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

To make an appointment online for a COVID-19 vaccine at the county’s Dulles Town Center site, visit loudoun.gov/covid19vaccine. Flu vaccine is not available at the Dulles Town Center clinic. Anyone without internet access or who needs assistance making an appointment can call the county information line at 703-737-8300 weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition, COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in the community from many providers, such as medical offices and pharmacies including, but not limited to, CVS, Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart and Wegmans. These locations have the benefit of being able to also provide flu vaccine at the same time, which is recommended by the health department. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you.

Know When You’re Eligible for a Booster Dose 

With the CDC guidance calling for booster doses to be administered at least six months (180 days) after the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and two months after the J&J vaccine, it’s important that people know when they completed their initial series so that they can appropriately time a booster.

You can find the date you completed the initial series on your vaccination card. If you received that dose in Virginia and have misplaced the card, you can find the date by searching for your vaccine record online. If you need assistance over the phone, call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

The Virginia Department of Health has added a scannable QR code to vaccination records. The technology allows anyone vaccinated in Virginia to show proof of vaccination with a digital or printed QR code instead of a paper card. If you have moved to Loudoun from another state since receiving your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or dose of J&J, you should check with the health department for your previous jurisdiction for your vaccination record.