COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Clinical studies show vaccination is safe and highly effective in:

• Preventing COVID-19 infection.
• Reducing the risk for severe complications and hospitalization.

St. Charles County Public Health is authorized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to administer free COVID-19 vaccinations to those ages 6 months and older. This includes first, second, third and booster doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech (Pfizer), Moderna or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines to those who are eligible.

Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations

In September 2022, DHSS, the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the administration of the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccinations, which are designed to protect against both the original virus and Omicron variants. Eligible individuals for the updated booster include those who have completed their primary vaccination series or received a booster dose for the Pfizer, Moderna or Janssen vaccines at least two months prior. The bivalent Pfizer booster is authorized for individuals ages 12 and older, while the Moderna booster is authorized for those ages 18 and older. Eligible individuals may choose to receive either of these booster doses, regardless of which primary series or original booster dose they had previously.

In October 2022, DHSS, the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the authorization for the administration of the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccinations to children and adolescents. The bivalent Pfizer booster is authorized for individuals ages 5 through 11 years, while the Moderna booster is authorized for those ages 6-17. Eligible individuals may receive the updated booster vaccination at least two months following the completion of primary or booster vaccination.

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations

In June 2022,  DHSS, the FDA and CDC authorized the administration of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines to those ages 6 months and older. Parents and caregivers should speak with their pediatrician to determine which vaccine is preferred.

In December 2022, DHSS, the FDA and CDC authorized the administration of:

• The bivalent pediatric Pfizer vaccine to children ages 6 months to 4 years who require a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine to complete their primary series. To receive this third bivalent dose, individuals will receive the first two doses of the primary series as defined by the manufacturer and would receive the Pfizer bivalent pediatric dose as their third dose at least 8 weeks after the second dose. Please note: Those ages 6 months – 4 years who have completed the three-dose Pfizer series are not currently eligible to receive a booster dose of this vaccine.
• The bivalent Pfizer booster vaccine to those 5-17 who completed the Pfizer or Moderna primary series at least 2 months prior or to those ages 12-17 who completed the Novavax primary series at least 2 months prior.
• The Moderna bivalent booster vaccine to those ages 6 months to 5 years who completed the Moderna two-dose series; to those ages 6-17 who completed the Pfizer or Moderna primary series at least 2 months prior; or to those ages 12-17 who completed the Novavax primary series at least 2 months prior.