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Important COVID-19 Omicron Variant and Booster Information

The COVID-19 Omicron variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has rapidly become the common strain of the virus. Early data indicates that Omicron is more contagious and spreads more quickly than the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Recent data shows that a booster shot, an additional vaccine dose for those that have been vaccinated,  increases the immune response to Covid 19. With an increased immune response, people have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

We know that unvaccinated people are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines are safe, effective at reducing the chances of getting severely ill, hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19, and are widely available.

Know the facts:

  • Everyone 5 years and older can protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated.
  • The CDC recommends that everyone ages 16 years and older get a booster vaccine at least six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna or two months after their initial J&J/Janssen vaccine.
  • Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from
    COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Sites:

Boosters are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, state-run mass vaccination sites, and other locations across the state. More information can also be found on the state’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. 

To schedule an appointment, New York State residents may choose from the following options:

  1. Visit: Booster Doses: Booster Doses | COVID-19 Vaccine (ny.gov)
  2. Text their ZIP code to 438829
  3. Call either 1-833-NYS-4-VAX or 1-800-232-0233. 
  4. Traveling to a vaccination site is not always possible, therefore New York State counties are offering in-home vaccinations. Find your county contact by visiting this webpage: Distribution of the Vaccine | COVID-19 Vaccine (ny.gov)

Protect Yourself Against COVID-19

  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.
  • Practice social distancing (stay 6 feet away from others).
  • Wash your hands.

 Please contact your primary care physician with questions.  Members and families are also encouraged to contact their Care Manager with questions and consult CDC COVID-19:
Variants of the Virus | CDC

Please consult our educational library for new plain language information and our
COVID-19 vaccine resources webpage.