Updated COVID boosters will be available soon. Here's where you can find one in the Green Bay area

Rebecca Loroff, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Updated ·3 min read

COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have increased slightly in northeastern Wisconsin, though they remain much lower than this time last year.

As of Sept. 2, the seven-day average of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the northeast region of the state was 10 patients, up from 5 on Aug. 1, according to data from the state Department of Health Services. In contrast, around 60 patients were hospitalized in early September 2022.

Nationwide, COVID-19 infections have been increasing slowly since early July.

An updated vaccine is expected to be announced soon that could offer more protection against current omicron variants of the virus. The updated booster expected to be available in September.

On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID-19 booster manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, targeting the XBB.1.5 variant, which was the dominant variant last spring and this summer.

Remember:

  • The shot is free; you don't need insurance.

  • A Social Security number is not required in order to get a booster.

Here's more information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters?

Everyone 6 years and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they received an original shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as the elderly and the severely immunocompromised, should consider getting a booster of the vaccine now and not waiting, if it has been a long time since they have gotten a booster shot or have never gotten a booster.

Bellin Health infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Landrum receives the health system’s first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay.
Bellin Health infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Landrum receives the health system’s first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay.

For others, experts recommend waiting until the new COVID-19 booster is available this month or early October. The booster is designed to protect against new strains of the virus.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Green Bay?

Where else can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

For more COVID-19 vaccination locations, visit vaccines.gov, and enter your ZIP code to find nearby vaccine locations.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

Walgreens locations in the Green Bay area offers on-site testing. Since the COVID-19 public health emergency ended May 11, insurance coverage of COVID tests may have changed for some plans, though uninsured patients may still qualify for a free test.

For more COVID-19 testing locations, visit testinglocator.cdc.gov.

Where can I get at-home tests?

Though the government is no longer providing free at-home tests, people can buy tests online or at pharmacies and other local retailers, including Amazon, CVS, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. Tests usually cost under $25 per box.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of various at-home COVID-19 tests by months and even years. The extended expiration dates by type of test and brand can be found on the FDA's website.

Contributing: Claire Reid.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for northeastern Wisconsin. Contact her with story tips and feedback at rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Here's when and where to get updated COVID-19 shots in Green Bay