Somerset County Government: Somerset County Encourages Everyone To “Give Your Holidays A Boost” With Free COVID Booster Vaccinations

Press release from the Somerset County Government:

12/09/2021 11:45 AM

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County is encouraging residents to “Give Your Holidays a Boost” with a COVID vaccination booster shot before joining the holiday party circuit. Celebrations at family and friends’ homes, restaurants and bars, or even outdoors to see a parade or the ball drop can be safer and more fun when celebrants are fully protected not just with their initial vaccination doses, but with a booster shot.

“The holiday season is for getting together with friends and family to celebrate each other, and thanks to the COVID vaccines we can safely enjoy our loved ones at home, in restaurants, or anywhere else people are gathering,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “The best way to ensure you and everyone you celebrate with is as safe as possible is to get a booster shot as soon as possible, whether from a County clinic, a pharmacy, or any other provider.”

The three approved COVID vaccines are proven to be safe and effective in reducing the chances of contracting COVID and preventing severe illness. Currently less than 30 percent of the state is unvaccinated, yet the unvaccinated represent more than 75 percent of hospitalized COVID patients. These numbers demonstrate that vaccinations significantly reduce the odds of contracting COVID, and result in less severe symptoms if there is a breakthrough case.

The Somerset County Department of Health is holding vaccination clinics on Mondays and Wednesdays in December at the Senior Wellness Center in Bridgewater from 4:00 to 7:30pm. Residents may receive a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at theses clinics, with no appointment necessary:

• 1st and 2nd doses of Pfizer (12 years and older) and Moderna (18 years and older). Individuals 12-17 years old must have parental or legal guardian consent and a parent or guardian present during vaccination.
• Third (additional) doses to eligible individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
• Booster doses to individuals 18 years and older who received 2 doses of their initial series of Pfizer or Moderna at least 6 months ago or received Janssen (J&J) at least 2 months ago. Residents who are eligible for a booster vaccination may receive any of the three approved vaccines as a booster, but Somerset County’s Senior Wellness Center Clinic only administers Pfizer and Moderna.

There are also more than 60 partner providers in all corners of the County where booster shots are available. More information is available at http://soconj.gov/vaxclinics.

“The most likely place for COVID-19 to spread is in crowded, poorly ventilated settings, particularly indoors but also in tight crowds outdoors as you might find at a parade or ball drop,” said Somerset County Department of Health Director Dr. Namitha Reddy. “While I would not recommend that unvaccinated people attend parties and other crowded celebrations this holiday season, vaccinated people – and in particular those who have had a booster shot – should feel comfortable participating in any activity as long as they follow basic safety protocols.”

Currently 75.8 percent of Somerset County residents have been fully vaccinated, and more than 30 percent have received a booster shot. Somerset County is encouraging the approximately 45 percent of our population who are vaccinated but have not received a booster to “Give Their Holidays a Boost” as soon as possible. Full protection from the booster takes two weeks, meaning that the earlier residents receive their booster the safer the holiday season will be.

To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Somerset County continues to ask anyone who has not yet received their vaccine to get vaccinated immediately, and to follow everyday healthy habits. The following interventions may also help stop the spread of coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases:

• Wear a mask in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status if over two-years of age when in locations where there may be a high rate of transmission
• Maintain distance from others – at least two arm’s length apart
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover coughs and sneezes, and
• Monitor health daily and stay home when sick

Since information on COVID-19 is being regularly updated, it is important to stay informed through reliable resources. Follow public health experts such as the CDC at www.cdc.gov, the New Jersey Department of Health at www.nj.gov/health and the Somerset County Department of Health at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.

The Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH)
The SCDOH is the lead agency for public health emergency preparedness and response in Somerset County. Funding for these activities is provided by the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement through the New Jersey Department of Health.

To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.