Health Department said new bivalent COVID-19 booster was available in U.S. Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands Department of Health said on September 6, 2022, that it had received 800 doses of a new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine formulation intended to provide better protection against newer variants of the virus.

Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis said during the Government House weekly briefing that the territory had 600 Pfizer doses and 200 Moderna doses. She said the Pfizer formulation was available for people age 12 and older and the Moderna formulation for people age 18 and older, if at least two months had passed since completion of a primary vaccine series or if the person otherwise qualified for a booster.

The department said COVID-19 vaccinations would be offered as part of its regular clinic schedules. Appointments were available by calling 340-244-0016.

Ellis also said the territory had no confirmed monkeypox cases as of September 6, 2022. She said the department had about 850 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine available and had scheduled or administered 55 doses.

The department reported 203 active COVID-19 cases as of September 6, 2022: 116 on St. Croix, 86 on St. Thomas and one on St. John. It said five COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and four were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/department-of-health-offering-vaccine-that-protects-against-newest-strains-of-covid-19/