The wait could be getting shorter for people waiting to get a Moderna booster vaccine.

The FDA vaccine advisers voted unanimously to recommend emergency use authorization for the booster shot.

For some people age 65 and older, or people who are 18 to 64 years old who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and people ages 18 to 64 who have the potential frequent exposure to the virus.

 The recommendation would be for six months after these people received their second Moderna shot.

The CDC will decide later whether or not to recommend the Moderna booster.

21 News talked with local health commissioners to find out if health departments will be ready for a roll out.

The Mahoning County Health Department says their team will be ready to administer the Moderna booster but when that happens depends on some outside variables.

"This will depend on when they can get the approval, how quickly we can order it from the supplier, or Ohio Department of Health, how soon they can get it here," said Ryan Tekac Mahoning Health Commissioner.

He tells just like with the first and second dose of the vaccines, or the Pfizer booster, the Moderna boosters will be administered at the Austintown Senior Center on Fridays by appointment only.

Tekac said, "Individuals can go to our website mahoningcountypublichealth.org and you will see a large button, you click on that and it will take you to a scheduling system."

If you are having trouble or don't know how to register online you can call the Mahoning County Health Department at 330-270-2855 and talk

with someone in the Nursing Division between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.

The Youngstown Health Department says it's team is also ready to administer the Moderna booster.

"We figured we are going to get more people when Moderna becomes available because at the very first we did Moderna, probably for the first four months we did only Moderna," said Erin Bishop Youngstown Health Commissioner.

She tells 21 News once the Moderna booster is available you will be able to make an appointment by going here.

You can also walk in at sites five days a week, just as you can for your first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or the Pfizer booster.

The health department is giving people shots every Monday and Thursday at the City Health Department from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesdays at a designated library in Youngstown which changes each week from 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday and Friday at the Eugenia Atkinson Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Vaccines will not be administered on holidays.

Both Health Departments say if you can't find your vaccination card or if you laminated it, which they tell us your not supposed to do, they will issue another.

Bishop said, "We have the access to look it up and we will write you a new card with the third booster date on it. We have access to information in case you lost your vaccination card or laminated it."

 

Tekac emphasized, "We have the ability to look at information based on the vaccination they received prior and cross reference it with a system to make sure an individual is getting the appropriate booster consistent with their prior vaccine."