Delays affect Moderna doses
Staff writer
Moderna bivalent vaccines — made to deter omicron variants of COVID-19 — are limited because of manufacturing delays, Marion County’s health department director said Tuesday.
“We received 200 doses of Moderna from the state, and they don’t know when we will get more,” director Krista Schneider said.
The state notified the department about the delays Friday.
The state has instructed local health officials to substitute a Pfizer vaccine, Schneider said.
“Those that previously received Moderna are eligible to get the Pfizer booster,” she said.
Patients must have had two doses of COVID vaccine to be eligible for the new booster shots. The last booster must have been at least two months ago to receive the next shot.
The department administered about 35 of the new booster shots Monday, the first day they were available, Schneider said.
The new vaccines provide protection against original versions and newer variants of the virus.
Moderna is approved for people 18 and older, and Pfizer is approved for people 12 and older.
Schneider said it was too early to tell whether people would be more open to receiving the new boosters.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s most recent report — from Sept. 14 — showed 3,666 COVID-19 cases in Marion County. The department updates COVID-19 statistics by 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
People who want the new booster shot must call the health department at (620) 382-2550 to make an appointment.