The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has changed its guidance for the COVID-19 vaccine, no longer recommending the original monovalent formula for use in the United States.
CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated omicron (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series. People ages 6 years and older who are unvaccinated or previously received only monovalent vaccine doses are recommended to receive one bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated omicron (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for health care providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.
Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated omicron vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the community. Visit this page for details. SJBPH has limited omicron booster appointments available at the Durango and Pagosa Springs offices. At-home tests are available free at the SJBPH offices in both Durango and Pagosa Springs. More information about testing is available on SJBPH’s website.
KN95 masks are available at SJBPH front desks in Durango and Pagosa Springs.
COVID-19 treatments are available if you test positive. You should get treatment as soon as possible when you start to feel symptoms. If you are at high risk and have COVID-19, ask your health care provider about treatment as soon as you can. Telehealth is also an option for receiving treatment. Learn more about how to access COVID-19 treatments via the State of Colorado.