College will host Omicron booster clinic
September 27, 2022
Students, faculty, and staff will be able to receive the new, Omicron-specific booster shot for COVID-19 at the Towne Field House from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 21, in partnership with Berkshire Health Systems (BHS). Vaccines will be administered at no charge.
The clinic will offer the updated bivalent COVID vaccine. Compared to previous COVID vaccines, the bivalent booster is expected to provide increased protection against the Omicron variant, which has been the primary variant in circulation for several months.
There is no specific number of doses allocated for the on-campus clinic, according to Director of Medical Services Deb Flynn. “BHS has committed to accommodating whatever the demand is,” Flynn said to the Record.
Flynn also noted that walk-ins will not be accepted, although the scheduling link will be open throughout the day of the event to allow for last-minute sign-ups. “The purpose of this is to reduce backing up the line at the clinic,” Flynn said.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters will be administered at the clinic; only individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for the Moderna shot, while Pfizer is authorized for individuals 12 and older.
Members of the College community who have received all primary series doses and had their most recent shot at least two months prior are eligible. If supplies remain available, members of the public, including family members of the College community, will also be invited to sign up for an appointment.
