Detroit Regional Chamber > Business Resources > COVID-19 > Metro Detroit health departments begin offering Moderna, J&J COVID-19 booster shots

Metro Detroit health departments begin offering Moderna, J&J COVID-19 booster shots

October 27, 2021
Detroit Free Press
Oct. 26, 2021
Christina Hall

The city of Detroit and its neighboring suburban health departments have begun giving Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots.

The city said it began offering the boosters Tuesday, in addition to Pfizer boosters, at all city-run vaccination sites, including 10 walk-in centers and home visits.

Oakland County Health Division also began administering booster doses of Moderna and J&J vaccines at sites in Pontiac and Holly, with more clinics scheduled throughout the week in Rochester, Pontiac and Southfield. Pfizer booster doses also will be available.

The Washtenaw County Health Department, too, began offering Moderna and J&J boosters starting Tuesday at its October drive-through and ongoing walk-in clinics at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti.

The Wayne County Health Department also is offering free booster doses, with no appointment necessary, at all of its county-sponsored vaccine sites. The Macomb County Health Department is giving them, too, in addition to the Pfizer booster, with walk-ins welcome but appointments preferred.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved boosters for those who received the second dose of the two-shot regime of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at least six months ago who are age 65 and older or age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings or have underlying medical conditions or who work or live in high-risk settings, including health care workers, first responders, teachers, manufacturing and other occupations.

The CDC also recommended boosters for those age 18 and older who received the one-dose J&J vaccine at least two months ago.

Residents can choose which booster they want to receive — either the same vaccine as before or a different one, as the CDC approved mix-and-match for booster doses. The Moderna booster is half the dose of the primary series vaccine.

A third full dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine also is available for all immunocompromised city residents as long as it is 28 days after their initial two-dose series.

“We have ample supplies of vaccines, and that includes booster doses for everyone who is now eligible to receive them,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a release. “Vaccines remain the best tool we have available for protection from COVID-19. I am encouraging all Detroiters to get their booster dose now, before the holidays. And, if you haven’t been vaccinated, please do so now.”

Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo agreed.

“We know Detroiters are planning their celebrations with family and friends, and that is why we encourage everyone who is eligible for a booster to plan now to receive their booster dose so that everyone will stay healthy and safe. The time is now to get the shot,” she said.

“It is also flu season, so I am encouraging everyone to get their annual flu vaccine as well. This is important to keep everyone safe and protected through the coming months of cold weather.”

Though walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged for all Detroit vaccination sites by calling 313-230-0505 or scheduling online at vaccinatedetroit.com. Bring your vaccination card to your appointment.

Appointments also are strongly recommended, but not required, in Oakland County. Go to OaklandCountyVaccine.com. Those without the internet can call Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Oakland County clinics this week are:

  • Drive-through clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Rochester Fire Department, 277 E. 2nd St., Rochester.
  • Drive-through clinic from 1-4 p.m. Thursday at the county government campus, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac, in the parking lot between the North Office Building (26 East) and the medical examiner’s office (28 East).
  • Indoor clinic from 2-6 p.m. Thursday at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, in Southfield.
  • Indoor clinic from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield.

At Wayne County Health Department sites, walk-ins are welcome, but those who want to make an appointment can call 866-610-3885. For more information, go to waynecounty.com/covid19/vaccination.aspx.

To schedule an appointment in Macomb County, call 586-463-3750 and press 1. Online scheduling should be available later this week at macombgov.org/vaccinecentral.

Initial doses of all three vaccines as well as Pfizer boosters also are available at the Washtenaw County Health Department clinics. No appointments are required. For more information, go to washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination.

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