Linn County Communications Officer
By Alex Paul
Linn Co. Communications Officer
Megan Jones, 21, was happy about getting her Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot Jan. 6 at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center.
“I want to protect myself and other people,” Jones said as Medical Reserve Corps volunteer Carol Gresham administered her shot.
Jones’ fiance, Alex Goth, got his booster shot as well.
Linn County Public Health reinstituted vaccination clinics starting Jan. 4, after focusing on individual appointments through the county’s mobile unit for several months. Statewide, the number of new COVID-19 cases has been climbing rapidly due to the Omicron variant.
Neva Anderson, the county’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, said volunteers and county staff have ample supplies of all three vaccines — J & J, Pfizer and Moderna. Although first and second doses are available, Anderson said the majority of shots are boosters.
The county is not providing COVID-19 tests.
“People are thankful they don’t have to wait in line,” Anderson said. “It’s been a steady flow and most people are in and out in less than 20 minutes.”
Anderson said people are concerned about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Mid-Valley Media Reporter Troy Shinn completed a vaccination trifecta. Medical Reserve Corps volunteer Steven Hammond of Albany had given Shinn his first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine months ago and Thursday, he administered Shinn’s booster shot as well.
As of Jan. 8, Linn County is now able to administer Pfizer booster shots to children 12 to 15 years of age.
The vaccination clinics will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 17 to 19. Shots will be given at the Albany Police Station from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 17 and Jan. 24.
Walk-ins are welcome, no appointments needed.
