Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
Available at OCDPH Clinics in September
 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently approved an updated bivalent version of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosters, which are formulated to protect against the original coronavirus strain and provide more targeted protection against the newer Omicron variants. An updated bivalent booster is now recommended for everyone over the age of 12, in addition to individuals at high-risk for severe illness or hospitalization, including those over the age of 50, anyone who is immunocompromised, or anyone who has an underlying health condition. The Moderna bivalent booster is authorized for individuals 18 years of age and older and the Pfizer bivalent booster is authorized for individuals 12 years of age and older. You can receive an updated bivalent booster starting two months after your last COVID-19 shot, whether that was a booster dose or you completed your primary series of vaccinations.
"Experts have compared COVID-19 vaccination to wearing a seatbelt. A seatbelt might not prevent you from getting into an accident, but it will protect you if you do, much like a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from serious complications if you get infected with COVID-19," said Dr. Gwendolyn Unzicker, OCDPH Medical Director. "Getting the new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster can be like an airbag and add yet another layer of protection for you. It still may not prevent you from getting COVID-19, but it can protect you from severe illness or worse."
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health will be hosting vaccine clinics on Thursdays throughout the month of September at the Holland clinic, located at 12251 James Street, Holland, MI 49424.
- September 15th from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. To register, click here.
- September 22nd from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. To register, click here.
- September 29th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. To register, click here.
If you plan to attend a vaccine clinic, please be aware that masks are still required in OCDPH healthcare facilities, in accordance with the CDC’s infection control guidance for healthcare facilities. When there is still a substantial or high amount of the virus that causes COVID-19 in a county, the CDC says everyone aged 2 and up in a healthcare facility should wear a mask - patients, visitors and staff - regardless of vaccination status.
The CDC’s community masking guidance for non-healthcare settings is based on COVID-19 Community Levels, rather than on community transmission rates, which is the basis for guidance in healthcare settings. Although Ottawa County has remained at the CDC's 'low' COVID-19 Community Level for many weeks, Ottawa County's community transmission rate remains in the 'high' category. COVID-19 Community Level recommendations do not apply in healthcare settings; instead, community transmission rates are the basis for the CDC's guidance for healthcare settings.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work to keep our patients and staff safe.
To find more vaccine clinics, visit VaccinateWestMI.com/clinics.
LEARN MORE
Free, At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available
at Ottawa County COVID-19 Testing Sites
 Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are available at our COVID-19 testing locations, while supplies last. You may take up to six boxes (12 test kits) per household. See below for location details.
- Tuesdays from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Church of the Saviour
180 68th Ave N
Coopersville, MI 40404
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Closed from 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm for a scheduled break
- Thursdays from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Hudsonville Health Department
3100 Port Sheldon St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
- Saturdays from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Grand Valley State University's Holland Campus
515 Waverly St.
Holland, MI 49423
Ottawa County Data Hub
Ottawa County publishes recent COVID-19 data relating to community transmission, case counts, descriptive statistics and test positivity. The data hub is updated every weekday from Monday - Friday by 4:00 pm. View Data Hub
Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Reports can be found on our COVID page.
Ottawa County Case Rates
 As of September 12, 43 new cases of COVID-19 were reported each day on average over the last 7 days, similar to the 43 daily reported cases over the previous 7-day period. These reports do not include results in people tested with antigen test kits at home; true case counts may be underreported.
CDC COVID-19 Community Level
 Ottawa County is currently in the low COVID-19 Community Level.
Follow Us On Social Media
 Instagram - @miOCDPH
Facebook - @miOttawaHealth
Twitter - @miOttawaHealth
Where to Find COVID-19 Vaccines
OCDPH lists all of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics on VaccinateWestMi.com. Click on the calendar to find scheduling and walk-in opportunities in Ottawa County and the surrounding area.
- The Pfizer or Moderna series for children under 5.
- The Pfizer two-dose vaccine for individuals aged 5 years or older.
- The Moderna two-dose vaccine for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine for certain individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Novavax vaccine for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- Boosters are recommended for anyone 12 years or older and those under 12 who are immunocompromised.
- The Moderna Bivalent booster for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Pfizer Bivalent booster for individuals aged 12 years or older.
- Proof of date of birth is required (driver’s license, state ID or birth certificate). Parental consent is required for minors. Find more details and requirements on each clinic's page.
- If you are receiving a second dose or a booster, please remember to bring your vaccine card to your appointment.
- Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.
 Need a ride to a vaccine clinic? To schedule a trip, call MAX at 616-355-1010. LEARN MORE - Kent County Vaccine Transportation Access Information HERE.
COVID-19 Testing
Need Testing? No-Cost Community Sites. Rapid antigen testing for anyone with or without symptoms (parental consent required for minors). Samples are taken by nasal swab. Results within 15-30 min. No appointment needed • No doctor’s order needed • No insurance needed • No fee • Please bring a form of ID • No pets allowed • Wear a face covering. Find locations, dates and times at www.miOttawa.org/covid19
MDHHS Resources
Vaccine Information I MI Vaccine Locations I FAQs
More COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources
VaccinateWestMi.com FAQs I Deaf & Hard of Hearing FAQ Videos
CDC COVID-19 FAQs Flyer I CDC FAQ Website
Alternative Languages: Arabic | Spanish | Korean | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Tagalog | Traditional Chinese | Vietnamese
Click to learn more from the CDC's COVID-19 Webinars and Partner Calls Videos
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) sent this update to those who signed up for vaccine notifications or COVID-19 updates. You may also sign up to receive information about other news topics from Ottawa County Parks, Sheriff’s Office and more. See the end of this email to make any changes to your subscription preferences.
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