COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Los Alamos County, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and Trinity Urgent Care will hold a vaccine clinic to administer a single Moderna booster (third dose) for select populations who received the Moderna vaccine as their primary series (first two doses). The clinic will be at the Los Alamos High School, Auxiliary Gym on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.*
According to the October 22, 2021, recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC/ACIP) on the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine booster (third dose), those that should receive the single booster at least six months after completing their Moderna primary series (the first two doses) are as follows:
- People aged 65 years and older,
- Residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings, and
- People aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions
Additionally, the CDC recommends that the following may receive the single booster at least six months after completing their Pfizer primary series:
· People aged 18-49 with underlying medical conditions, and
· People aged 18-64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings. Such occupations include front line essential workers and health care workers including first responders, education staff, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store workers.
**Individuals can mix and match vaccines now per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The following is provided as clarification for the Oct. 31 Vaccine Clinic which will be administering Moderna boosters.
- If the initial vaccine series was Pfizer or Moderna, the Moderna (third dose) booster must be administered no sooner than 6 months after the second dose and in accordance with the CDC/ACIP criteria as explained above.
- If the initial vaccine was J&J, the Moderna (second dose) booster must be administered no sooner than 2 months after the initial dose and is available to ALL adults (18+ years of age) who received J&J.
For individuals who fall into the eligible categories but are still uncertain as to whether they should receive the single booster dose of Moderna, Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson suggests they speak with their medical care provider to make an informed decision. Individuals can determine if they are eligible and resister for the clinic at https://vaccinenm.org/my-registration.html. Individuals should use event code ZELNAEA to register. Walk-ins are welcome, as long as there is sufficient vaccine supply.
If individuals experience an error when trying to register for the event through the NMDOH app, Simpson indicates that they may need to select “Trinity Urgent Care” on the map first, and then enter the event code.*
Simpson reminds appointment holders to follow these steps for their appointment:
1. Complete the online NMDOH medical questionnaire the morning of the clinic
2. Complete and bring the Trinity Urgent Care Consent Form available online: https://lacnm.com/TUC-ConsentForm
3. Bring your Medicare and medical insurance cards, if applicable
4. Arrive within 10 to 15 minutes of the appointment time
5. Bring the white CDC vaccination card
6. Wear a mask.
For those who have booked an appointment, but need to cancel, Simpson requests that they do so as soon as possible to open space for others. However, if the conflict is only with the hour, she recommends the individual contact her directly at 505-709-8632 so she can adjust the time accordingly and the individual does not lose their space.
For more information on county related issues regarding COVID-19, visit the county website at https://lacnm.com/COVID.
*Updated information as of 10/26/2021.
** Updated information as of 10/27/2021.