Cook County Public Health and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announce expanded Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announce expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster vaccines following updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those ages 18 and over are eligible for a booster six months after receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine; OR they are eligible for a booster two months after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine are now able to choose which COVID-19 vaccine they receive as a booster. The new CDC recommendation now allows for this type of mix-and-match vaccine dosing.

“Given the increased transmission of COVID-19 in Cook County and across the state, PHHS and SMC continue to prioritize local vaccine access for everyone age 5 and older,” said Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager. “Booster doses offer additional protection against COVID-19 for those who have already completed the vaccine series. Getting vaccinated against COVID- 19 will be one of the best ways to protect yourself and everyone around you this holiday season. Given the number of community members who are newly eligible for a booster vaccine, booster appointments are booked out into early December. We are doing the best we can with our local staffing capacity to get eligible community members in for their booster doses as quickly as possible.”

Local vaccination opportunities and online registration continue to be available at the Cook County COVID-19 hub site at cookcountycovid19.org. You can also call Cook County Public Health at 218-387-3605 for help registering over the phone. Vaccination opportunities across the state can be found at vaccineconnector. mn.gov/ for those who would prefer to schedule sooner in Duluth or elsewhere in the state.