SLO County children can soon receive updated protection against COVID-19 variants

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Booster vaccines (also referred to as Omicron boosters) for current variants of COVID-19 will be available soon for San Luis Obispo County children under the age of five and as young as six months.

“Like the flu shot, this updated vaccine teaches your body to protect you from the virus strains circulating right now,” said SLO County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “This added protection will help families stay healthy as we look ahead to holiday gatherings and is especially important as hospitals feel the strain of increased respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.”

Children under five that have finished their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series are eligible for these booster vaccinations two months after their final dose. Children under five who have received the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may receive the booster as the third dose of that three-dose series.

As shipments of these booster vaccines arrive in the coming weeks, bivalent vaccine appointments for children will be available at pediatricians offices, public health clinics and some pharmacies.

To find out about current vaccines and where they are available, follow this link.

For current updates about COVID-19 in SLO county, visit this link.

Public health support is also available by phone Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 805-781-5500.