(VERNON, Connecticut) –Priority Urgent Care of Ellington, with support from the Town of Vernon, will host a COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot clinic this Friday, October 29th, 2021 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at 375 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon. The clinic is open to all people who are eligible to be vaccinated.
People can receive first or second shots of COVID-19 vaccine or booster shots. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not be available, however, anyone who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (two or more months ago) can receive a Moderna or Pfizer booster. Those seeking a vaccine are reminded to bring their vaccination card with them to the clinic.
“After the success of our nationally-recognized community vaccination program, we kept hearing from people asking about booster shots,” Mayor Dan Champagne said. “This clinic is open to anyone that is eligible and who chooses to be vaccinated or receive a booster shot.”
Priority Urgent Care will oversee and operate the clinic. The Town of Vernon will provide logistical support and other assistance.
“Earlier this year we saw a need to serve our community with COVID-19 vaccine and we stood up a robust vaccination program,” Vernon Town Administrator and Emergency and Risk Management Director Michael Purcaro said. “Now that boosters have been authorized for all three COVID-19 vaccines, we are seeing an increased demand for vaccine and are taking steps to once again help meet the needs of the community.”
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19, said Dr. Daksh Rampal of Priority Urgent Care.
“People who are fully vaccinated continue to have strong protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, but immunity against infection can wane over time, especially with highly contagious variants,” Dr. Rampal said. “Booster shots will help us shore up protection for those who are at-risk and who were vaccinated months ago.”
People who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to receive booster shots if they were vaccinated more than six months ago and fall into one of four categories:
65 years of age and older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
For people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available as boosters to those who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
People with insurance will be asked to present their insurance cards, but will not be billed beyond what their insurance pays. People without insurance will not be turned away.