The Virginia Department of Health’s Piedmont Health District encourages everyone to celebrate the holidays safely by getting their COVID-19 vaccination or booster this month. To help this effort, Piedmont Health District is hosting two additional vaccination clinics in Farmville this month – Thursday, Dec. 23 and Thursday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmville Farmer’s Market located at 213 North Street.

The clinics will offer first, second, additional primary and booster doses at no cost to the public. The Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson are available for anyone 18 and older. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone age five and older. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18.

Walk-ins are welcome, but to make an appointment, visit vase.vdh.virginia.gov/ or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). English-and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available in more than 100 languages. Individuals with an appointment should arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to the appointment time.

The Pfizer BioNTech booster vaccine can be obtained by anyone 16 and older at least six months from the date of their second mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine or at least two months from the date of their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

The Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster vaccine can be obtained by anyone 18 and older at least six months from the date of their second mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine or at least two months from the date of their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Individuals who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster dose may choose which vaccine product they would like to receive as a booster. For those individuals that choose a different product than their primary series, VDH urges them to consult with their doctor or healthcare provider who can assist in making the best decision for the individual’s own situation.

Those who are coming for their second, third or booster dose are asked bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine they received in previous doses.

The experience of getting a COVID-19 vaccine will be very similar to the experience of getting routine vaccines. Parents can check out these tips on talking to their child about what to expect.

For more about vaccinating children and teens, parents can visit the CDC website. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, its safety and answers to frequently asked questions at VDH’s website and CDC’s website.

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