Here’s how to get the new COVID-19 booster in the Bay Area

Shipments of the modified COVID-19 boosters from Moderna and Pfizer are already arriving at pharmacies and county health facilities throughout the Bay Area.

So how do you get yours?

Santa Clara County’s Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said Friday everyone above the age of 12 who has received the first two doses of the vaccine should sign up for the new booster that has been reformulated to better protect against the current strains of virus. You’ll have to wait at least two months since your last shot.

“The virus continues to change and adapt and so must we,” she said. “We know that [the modified booster] is going to bolster our defenses and protect us from severe illness, hospitalization and death.”

Appointments for the new booster may already be available at a pharmacy near you depending on where you live. Here’s everything we know about when appointments will become available and how you can book one:

Walgreens

Appointments for the new booster vaccine are already available at select Walgreens pharmacies following official approval of the vaccine by health experts. Search for times and book yours at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or by calling 1-800-Walgreens.

CVS

CVS expects to begin receiving shipments of the new booster on a rolling basis within the next few days. Appointment bookings will be posted on CVS.com as these vaccine shipments arrive.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser says they will begin distributing modified vaccines after receiving shipments, which may arrive in the next week or two. Supply may be limited for the first few weeks. To check for appointments, Kaiser members should refer to the website kp.org.

Alameda County

Alameda County anticipates offering appointments for the newly formulated booster vaccine by the end of next week at county-run clinics, according to Alameda County Public Health Department spokesperson Neetu Balram. The county website (covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines) will be updated once appointments become available.

Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County health officials estimate that they will begin administering the newly formulated boosters at county-run vaccination sites by the end of next week, according to spokesperson for Contra Costa Health Services Will Harper. Residents will be able to book a new booster appointment by calling 833-829-2626 or booking online at cchealth.org.

San Mateo County

San Mateo County health officials say distribution of the new booster will begin the week of Sept. 12 at county community health clinics run by the county. The initial supply is expected to be limited, according to San Mateo County Health spokesperson Preston Merchant.  Merchant advises that residents consult their primary care provider before booking appointments.

Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County officials say they expect to begin receiving vaccine shipments Friday and begin distributing new boosters by as early as next Wednesday. Vaccine appointments will be made available on the county’s vaccine appointment website, sccfreevax.org.

Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County health officials say they hope to begin administering the modified booster vaccine by early next week. Vaccine appointments can be booked online through santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine.

San Francisco

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has not announced a timeframe for when it expects to begin administering the new booster vaccine. The department is still waiting to hear how many vaccines they will receive in upcoming shipments. Residents with insurance are encouraged to reach out to their primary care provider to schedule an appointment.