News
The Wright Center for Community Health accepting appointments for second coronavirus booster dose for adults over age 50
The Wright Center for Community Health is now administering second booster doses of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for adults ages 50 and older. Individuals in that age group who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago can make an appointment, per the public health recommendations issued last week by federal regulators.
“(Receiving a second booster) is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19,” said Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “They are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time.”
An additional booster dose also has been recommended for individuals 12 years of age and older who are immunocompromised, such as people who have undergone an organ transplant.
Adults seeking a Pfizer booster can make an appointment at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Moderna boosters are available at all Wright Center locations, including, Clarks Summit Practice, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township; Hawley Practice, 103 Spruce St., Hawley; Kingston Practice, 2 Sharpe St., Kingston; Scranton Counseling Center, 329 Cherry St., Scranton; Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton; South Franklin Street Practice, 335 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, and West Scranton Intermediate School-Based Health, 1401 Fellows St., Scranton.
To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
“The approved COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children remain our best defense against serious illness, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, chief medical officer and senior vice president for The Wright Center for Community Health. “The newly updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain individuals, including those who are elderly or who are over age 50 with multiple underlying conditions.
“Anyone with questions about whether they should receive a booster, or about the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness, should talk with their health care provider,” Sheth added.
Data continue to show how well vaccination and booster doses are able to protect individuals from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. During the recent omicron surge, according to the CDC, people who were “boosted” were 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and seven times less likely to be hospitalized.
Federal agencies will continue to evaluate data and information as it becomes available when considering the potential use of a second booster dose in other age groups.
