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Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) will be offering Moderna booster shot clinics only across their service area – including Bertie, Gates, and Hertford counties – during the first two weeks of November.

The Moderna COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who received their second dose at least six months ago and who are at high risk for severe illness or exposure based on their age, profession, living setting or health conditions.

ARHS officials say that those ages 65 and older and those ages 18 and older who reside in a long-term care setting should receive a Moderna booster six months or more after completing their primary series. The booster is also recommended for individuals, ages 50-64, with certain underlying medical conditions.

Those ages 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions and those ages 18-64 years at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting should consider receiving a booster shot six months or more after completing their primary series.

Local clinics offering Moderna booster shots are scheduled as follows:

Gates County: Monday, Nov. 1, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Gates County Health Department, located at 29 Medical Center Road, Gates;

Hertford County: Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Ahoskie Creek Amphitheater, located at 125 Edgewood Drive, Ahoskie; and

Bertie County: Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Bertie County Recreation Complex, located at 1538 South King Street, Windsor.

“COVID-19 booster shots are an important tool to provide additional protection against COVID-19,” said ARHS Health Director R. Battle Betts, Jr. “I encourage anyone who is eligible to get their booster.”

Betts added that booster shots are available anywhere COVID-19 vaccines are available. People do not need a doctor’s note to get a booster shot and may self-attest to eligibility.

“We encourage individuals to speak with your doctor or healthcare professional if you have questions about booster doses,” Betts said.

ARHS clinics are for Moderna booster doses only. Booster doses are for individuals living in the ARHS eight county

region. Please bring your vaccine card with you to the drive-thru clinic so staff can verify your previous vaccine series. In addition, please do not arrive to clinic sites prior to 8:30 am.

If you do not have your vaccine card, or would like to receive a different type of booster dose, please make an appointment at your local health department: Gates County Health Dept. (252-357-1380), the Bertie County Health Dept. (252-794-5322), or the Hertford County Health Dept. (252-862-4054).

ARHS is continuing to accept vaccine appointments for Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson. Appointments will be available to residents of the eight county region who are 12 and older.

Northampton County Health Director Andy Smith said Moderna booster shots are available to citizens of that county by scheduling an appointment at 252) 534-5841.

Meanwhile, local health officials are seeing a decline in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the region. As of Tuesday of this week, there were 303 active cases in the ARHS service area, down from 342 on Oct. 22.

“It’s been over two months since we have had active cases this low across the region,” said Betts. “My hope is that we continue to see cases steadily decline and we can move forward to brighter days. Looking forward to the holiday season, we want to safely return to normal activities and spending time with friends and family. Let’s continue to do our part by getting vaccinated.”