Clinics provide COVID booster vaccines

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will offer Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccines to current employees and students at four clinics in November and December.

The booster shots will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

• Nov. 18: HNS Room 120, Dahlonega Campus
• Nov. 19: Student Health Services, Gainesville Campus
• Dec. 3: HNS Room 122, Dahlonega Campus
• Dec. 10: Student Health Services, Gainesville Campus

On Oct. 20, the Food and Drug Administration amended its emergency use authorization of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine to include a single booster.

"The COVID vaccine booster shot is recommended due to concern that the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time and may not protect against a new strain, such as Delta," Karen Tomlinson, director of Student Health Services, said. "In order to protect our UNG community and those around us against the continued threat of COVID-19, it is important for us to take these steps to prolong protective immunity that the vaccines and boosters provide."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations allow for mix-and-match doses of booster shots. The following groups are eligible to receive the Moderna COVID-19 booster if it has been at least six months since the completion of the primary Moderna or Pfizer series or two months since the Johnson and Johnson vaccine:

• People 65 years of age and older.
• People age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions.
• People age 18-49 with underlying medical conditions, based on their individual benefits and risks.
• People age 18-64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting, based on their individual benefits and risks. Research has shown that institutional settings include all faculty, staff and students at universities due to the high risk of potential exposure.

Current employees and students must present their UNG ID and COVID vaccination card to receive the booster vaccine.

First, second and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available at several UNG campuses:

• Nov. 16, 10 a.m.: Dahlonega Campus
• Nov. 17, 9 a.m.: Oconee Campus
• Nov. 18, 10 a.m.: Gainesville Campus

Learn about future UNG COVID-19 vaccine opportunities on the Nighthawks Together webpage.

For more information about COVID-19 booster shots, visit the CDC website.