Atlanta

Pharmacies to start vaccinating metro Atlanta with newly-approved COVID-19 boosters in days

ATLANTA — Pharmacies across metro Atlanta will be administering the newly approved COVID-19 booster shots within a matter of days. The updated vaccines are designed to provide better protection against the most widely circulating COVID-19 omicron variants.

“This reformulated vaccine really targets those new variants, BA-4 and BA-5,” said pharmacist Jonathan Marquess.

Marquess, who owns a number of local pharmacies, including East Marietta Drug, said they expect to begin administering the new vaccines sometime early next week, possibly Tuesday.

There is already a huge demand.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“We have been getting calls repeatedly, for the last few days, people wondering if we got it yet, when we are going to get it,” said pharmacy tech Melinda Brown.

The CDC says the updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination, and are designed to provide broad protection against new variants.

“I think it’s pretty exciting that we are going to have this new coverage from the vaccine, the new variants that now seem so widespread.” said pharmacist Julia Marshall.

TRENDING STORIES:

Customers at the drug store Friday said they are eager to to get the new booster vaccine.

“I will definitely be ready for this one when it’s available. And my mom is 89, she will get it as soon as she is able,” said Angela Scheider.

Federal regulators advise waiting two months after a last vaccine before receiving the new booster shot.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]