CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department is issuing updated booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccine to eligible individuals at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department drive-thru (located directly across the street from the CNCHD office) on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Per FDA and CDC guidelines, the CNCHD is administering the new, updated COVID booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to individuals regardless of if they have had any previous doses, according to a press release by the CNCHD.
Individuals previously vaccinated with any doses are eligible two months following their last dose. Updated Pfizer and Moderna are available for anyone six months and up.
With the new updated boosters, former versions of Pfizer and Moderna including the bivalent strain, are no longer available.
Brands can be mixed for all individuals except those six months to 5 years old, who will have to use the same brand as previous doses. Novavax has not yet released an updated vaccine.
Although booster doses have been available in the past, they are not required in order to get the updated dose. However, it must have been at least two months since your last COVID vaccine dose even if that was a fourth or fifth booster dose.
The new booster dose available is a different vaccine from initial and previous booster doses. The new version reflects modifications of the virus over time and combats some of the newer, more transmissible strains.
“There’s been extensive studies into the new booster doses, including who needs this protection and when they should get it,” CNCHD Public Information Officer Hailey Bloom said. “Our dedicated staff is ready and excited to administer this layer of defense to the members of our community.”
To receive an updated dose, enter the CNCHD alley from the south using Midwest Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a drive-through vaccination clinic. CNCHD staff will administer vaccines to individuals in their cars. Please bring ID, a vaccine card and insurance information.
Updated booster doses are free with most insurance and from Moderna through the Bridge program to those who are uninsured.
Vaccine cards or some form of proof of last vaccination are required for the updated booster. CNCHD will not be providing updates to cards to reflect the updated booster on the day of the event.
However, vaccine records will be available online or individuals may come to the CNCHD to request an updated vaccination record beginning the week of Oct. 1 during normal business hours.
Additionally, the CNCHD will have flu vaccines available for individuals interested in getting their flu shot at the same time. Flu vaccines have been proven safe and effective when administered in conjunction with a COVID vaccine or booster.
The CNCHD will offer both regular flu vaccine for individuals six months of age and older for a cost of $25 and the high-dose flu vaccine for individuals 65 and older for $100.
The CNCHD will bill all major insurance for flu vaccine or individuals can pay at the time of receipt. Annual flu vaccines remain one of the most effective ways of preventing more severe effects of seasonal flu.
Updated booster doses will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at this event. Updated booster dose appointments are not available, and there is no waitlist at this time. If vaccine inventory is not received on time, this clinic will be rescheduled.
Additional flu shot and booster clinic dates are as follows:
- Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. drive-thru at CNCHD
- Saturday, Oct. 21: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. drive-thru at CNCHD
“These updated boosters being available to anyone regardless of previous vaccine history is a huge step and will be very helpful, especially as we know COVID changes so frequently,” Bloom said. “We’re rolling out updated boosters doses carefully, and vaccines remain our strongest protection against COVID, especially as it continues to change and we head into colder weather months.”
Risk-based COVID tests are available for free Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Casper-Natrona County Health Department, located at 475 S. Spruce Street.
