COVID-19 omicron boosters coming to West Virginia

Vials of Pfizer’s up to date COVID-19 vaccine throughout manufacturing in Kalamazoo, Mich. West Virginia has acquired the primary doses of the brand new COVID-19 omicron booster, a state official stated Friday. (AP Photograph)

CHARLESTON — West Virginia has acquired the primary doses of the brand new COVID-19 omicron booster, a state official stated Friday.
The preliminary allotment to the state will probably be round 50,000 doses, which James Hoyer, director of the interagency activity pressure on vaccines, stated will develop to greater than 100,000 within the subsequent a number of weeks.
“We shouldn’t have any scarcity of vaccines,” Hoyer stated in a pre-recorded message aired throughout the governor’s Friday morning pandemic briefing.
Pictures will probably be administered on a precedence foundation that first consists of residents over 65 and people in long-term care amenities, Hoyer stated. Areas the place to acquire a shot can be found on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention vaccine.gov web site, nonetheless, the web site was experiencing issues Friday, he stated.
The Facilities for Illness Management Thursday permitted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices OK of the up to date COVID-19 omicron booster for people 12 and older. Residents will be capable to acquire them in pharmacies and their native well being departments as quickly as they obtain them, Dr. Ayne Amjad, state well being officer, stated in a launch after the briefing.
The Omicron booster is beneficial for individuals who have accomplished the first sequence, which for most individuals is the primary two pictures of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax and their most up-to-date COVID-19 shot of any type was a minimum of 2 months in the past, Amjad stated.
“These boosters change the unique boosters, serving to present higher safety towards circulating variants,” Amjad stated. “This comes at a vital time as we head into fall and the beginning of the respiratory season.”
Hoyer additionally stated hospitalizations dropping earlier than 300 on Friday was excellent news with the approaching of the Labor Day holidays this weekend. Well being officers consider there might be an upswing in instances brought on by elevated vacation interactions.
Hospitalizations have been at 282 on Friday, Hoyer stated. Hospital companies start getting strained at 500 COVID admissions, well being officers have beforehand stated.
“It is a constructive signal,” Hoyer stated.
Hopefully, the plateau of instances throughout the nation will quickly be in West Virginia, in accordance with Gov. Jim Justice. It’s not over but, he stated.
“I promise you this factor just isn’t gone,” Justice stated.
Jess Mancini will be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.