Mercer University will host COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics throughout the first few weeks of the spring semester, according to an email from the Office of the Provost Thursday evening.
"With over 90% of the Mercer community vaccinated against COVID-19, we encourage you to get your booster to strengthen your protection against severe illness," the email states.
The clinics will be in the Campus Health Center in the Drake Field House. The first three dates will be prior to the start of the semester — Jan. 7, 8 and 10 — and two more will be offered Jan. 14 and 21. The Pfizer vaccine will be available on Jan. 7, 8 and 14, and the Moderna vaccine will be offered on Jan. 10 and 21.
Those who have received the Pfizer vaccine are advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get their booster at least 5 months after receiving the first two doses. Moderna recipients should wait at least 6 months, and Johnson and Johnson recipients should get their booster after 2 months.
According to Vice Provost Kelly Reffitt, boosters are not required for members of the Mercer community at this time, although faculty members and health sciences students are required to have their initial vaccine series completed.
"We encourage all students and employees to get a booster, and we want to make it very convenient for everyone to get a booster on campus," Reffitt said.
Members of the Mercer community can schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any point on the Mercer Medicine website.
Mary Helene Hall ‘23 is a journalism and women’s and gender studies student who has worked for The Cluster throughout her time at Mercer. She has held internships at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AL.com, where she covered a variety of topics including politics, crime and culture.
