CVS, Walgreens, Walmart: Where you can now find a Pfizer booster shot in the Triangle
Update: Booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are now available too. Find details on where you can get a shot in the Triangle here.
Booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine are now available for certain people at high risk for serious illness or exposure to COVID-19.
Eligible North Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine for six months or more can get a booster shot, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said Friday.
The announcement followed the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both authorizing booster doses to protect high-risk groups against the more contagious delta variant now circulating throughout the country.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is eligible for a booster shot?
For now, Pfizer booster shots are only available for those who initially received the Pfizer vaccine. If you received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are not currently eligible for a Pfizer booster dose.
For those vaccinated with Pfizer shots whose last dose was at least six months ago, the CDC recommends:
▪ People 65 or older, or residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, should get a booster shot.
▪ People between 50 and 64 with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 should get a booster shot. Those conditions include cancer; chronic lung diseases like COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis and others; diabetes (type 1 or 2); heart conditions like heart failure or coronary artery disease; being immunocompromised; or being overweight or obese.
▪ People between 18 and 49 with any of those underlying medical conditions may get a booster shot.
▪ People between 18 and 49 who work in high-risk settings may get a booster shot. Those could include health care workers, teachers and child care providers, or food workers, according to the N.C. health department.
Where can I get a booster shot in NC?
Those eligible for a booster shot can get one from their health care provider, at a pharmacy, or at another location where COVID-19 vaccines have been available, the N.C. health department said.
You do not have to get your booster shot where you were originally vaccinated, since most locations are offering Pfizer vaccines.
Wake County
Wake County started offering appointments for booster shots Monday at www.wakegov.com/covid-19-information/get-your-covid-19-shot.
Individuals must show their vaccination card and self-attest they meet CDC eligibility requirements, the county said.
Afterward, the county recommends signing up for V-Safe, a CDC service that sends occasional text messages allowing you to register any symptoms you may experience.
Here are the five sites where Wake County is currently administering shots under expanded hours:
▪ Wake County Human Services Center, 5809 Departure Drive, Raleigh
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Wake County Public Health Center, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
Hours: Monday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
▪ Wake County Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
Hours: Monday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
▪ Wake County Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
▪ Wake County Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Durham County
The Durham County Department of Public Health began offering booster shots at its vaccine clinic, at 414 E. Main St., in Durham on Sept. 30. Eligible individuals can make an appointment by calling 919-560-9217, or can visit the clinic during walk-in hours.
The clinic is open for walk-ins Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Orange County
Booster shots are available at the Orange County Health Department’s walk-in clinics in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, beginning Sept. 29.
In Hillsborough, the shots are available at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center, 1020 U.S. Highway 70 W, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 877-505-6723.
In Chapel Hill, you can go to the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 919-913-8088 to make an appointment.
Appointments for both clinics can also be made at myspot.nc.gov, North Carolina’s vaccine availability website.
The county health department is also hosting a series of pop-up vaccine clinics that will offer booster shots, according to health department spokesperson Kristin Prelipp. Pop-up clinics will be held at:
▪ Efland Seafood Festival, 3009 Forrest Ave., Efland — Friday Oct. 1, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Orange High School, 500 Orange High School Road, Hillsborough — Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
▪ Farmer’s Market Pavilion (next to courthouse), 140 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough — Wednesdays, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Nov. 3, and Nov. 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ Carrboro Farmer’s Market, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro — Friday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Orange County Historic Courthouse, 104 E. King St., Hillsborough — Friday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Johnston County
The Johnston County Public Health Department will hold a drive-thru clinic at the Brightleaf Flea Market, 2320 S. Brightleaf Blvd. in Smithfield, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30.
The clinic will offer first, second and booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine.
Individuals who meet the CDC’s eligiblity requirements and received their second Pfizer shot on or before March 30, 2021, can get a booster shot at the clinic.
Booster doses will also be available at the county health department on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and on Tuesdays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The Johnston County health department is at 517 N. Brightleaf Blvd., and can be reached at 919-989-5200.
The vaccine is free, regardless of health insurance coverage or immigration status, according to the county health department.
CVS & Walgreens
Booster shots are available at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies. You can schedule an appointment at your local CVS at bit.ly/3B0iQgz and Walgreens at bit.ly/2UoXGsI.
Walmart & Sam’s Club
Pharmacies at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are also offering booster shots, Walmart announced Friday. Appointments can be scheduled online at walmart.com/covid or samsclub.com/covid. Both chains have walk-in availability as well.
North Carolina
You can find a location by visiting MySpot.nc.gov or calling the North Carolina COVID-19 vaccine help center at 888-675-4567.
This story will be updated as more locations offering booster shots are announced.
This story was originally published September 25, 2021 at 5:22 PM.
