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FAYETTEVILLE – Dec. 9, 2021 – Cape Fear Valley Health administrators say yesterday’s news about the effectiveness of one of the COVID-19 vaccines against the latest Omicron variant underlines the importance of booster shots for people who have already been vaccinated.

Wednesday, Pharmaceutical manufacturers Pfizer and BioNTech provided an update on the effectiveness of their COVID-19 vaccine against the latest Omicron variant, saying preliminary lab studies show that, when tested against the new variant, antibodies from patients with only the initial two doses of the vaccine are less effective than antibodies from patients who have also had the booster shot.

“Pfizer’s announcement is welcome news and much anticipated,” said Vice President of Pharmacy and Cancer Centers Christopher Tart. “Their laboratory studies about the initial effectiveness of the first two-dose vaccines series and the importance of also receiving your booster dose to protect yourself against the Omicron variant of Covid-19 show it is more important than ever to become vaccinated and receive your booster dose when eligible. Vaccines continue to be our best tool to beat the pandemic and lessen your chance of severe illness, hospitalization, or death.”

According to the study, the third dose of the vaccine increases the neutralizing antibody titers by 25 times, compared to patients who only had the initial two-dose series. Two doses may still induce protection against severe disease, but not as much as three. The antibody samples were taken from patients one month after receiving their booster dose.

The companies said they will continue to study the variant and their vaccine’s effectiveness as the new variant spreads, as well as continuing to develop a new version of the vaccine that is specific to the Omicron variant. The companies’ announcement said the new version of the vaccine is expected to be available by March 2022, pending regulatory approval.

Cape Fear Valley vaccination locations

Information about vaccinations in Cumberland, Bladen, and Hoke counties can be found at https://www.capefearvalley.com/coronavirus, and at https://myharnetthealth.org/covid-19-section/ for Harnett County locations. All individuals over the age of 18 and at least six months past their initial vaccine series are eligible for boosters. No boosters are approved for those under 18 years of age.

Cape Fear Valley Health offers COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. All vaccine clinic locations and primary care offices will offer the Pfizer booster during their regular clinic hours. The Moderna booster shot is available only at Center Pharmacy and Hoke Pharmacy, as well as all Harnett County locations where appropriate by age. The Johnson & Johnson booster shot is available only at Center Pharmacy, as well as all Harnett County locations where appropriate by age.

For children 5 to 11, parents can schedule initial pediatric vaccine appointments at Cape Fear Valley Health Pavilion North ExpressCare, Center Pharmacy, Hoke Pharmacy, Dunn Pediatrics, and Lillington Pediatrics. With the exception of Harnett County locations, walk-ins are also accepted at those sites, until clinic capacity is reached. All Harnett County locations are appointment-only regardless of age.

Pediatricians at Bladen Kids’ Care, Hoke Primary Care, and Cape Fear Valley Pediatric Care are also taking appointments for this vaccine, but only by calling the clinics directly. These pediatricians’ offices are not accepting walk-ins for the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can schedule an appointment at the pediatric clinic locations by calling the clinics directly at the following phone numbers: Bladen Kids’ Care, (910) 862-5500; Hoke Primary Care, (910) 904-8025; and Cape Fear Valley Pediatric Care, (910) 615-4801.

Full list of clinics’ hours and locations for COVID-19 vaccines are as follows: