This year, we’ve heard more than ever before about the need for vaccinations. With COVID-19 still a threat, vaccination remains our best protection against the deadly coronavirus. We also can’t forget about flu season and how important it is to get an annual flu shot to help protect against serious illness from the flu virus.

Flu shots are recommended for nearly everyone over 6 months of age. Pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions especially should get vaccinated against the flu.

Hereford Health Clinic has flu shots and the new COVID-19 booster shots available and encourages everyone to schedule an appointment to receive theirs. Call 806-349-9115 to make an appointment. The clinic is accepting walk-ins for flu vaccines.

Booster shot appointments are available:

Friday November 4

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday November 11

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday November 18

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The new COVID-19 booster targets the Omicron variants and is referred to as “bivalent” because it contains components to combat multiple strains of COVID-19. The bivalent booster is recommended because the BA.4/BA.5 strains of the Omicron variant are currently causing most of the COVID-19 cases and are expected to circulate heavily during the fall and winter.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• The bivalent Moderna vaccine is authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• The bivalent Pfizer vaccine is authorized as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older.
• Both are approved as a single booster dose at least 2 months following primary or booster vaccination.
• A bivalent COVID-19 booster dose can be co-administered with other vaccines, including a flu shot.

People who have already had COVID-19 should still consider getting the new booster. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises waiting at least three months after infection to get the booster.