Booster shots available to those that qualify

If you are 65 years or older and fully vaccinated, you qualify for a booster shot, the Center for Disease Control announced.

If you are over 18 and have underlying medical conditions, live in a long-term care facility or live in a high-risk setting, you are also eligible to receive the booster shot.

Booster shots are now available for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

You can get a booster shot at least 6 months after you complete your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Or, you can get a booster shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months after your first dose.

The CDC says that there could be an increase in reported cases of the flu this year, which could cause problems because hospitals are reporting critical shortages. One of the reasons for the concern is the CDC reports that a smaller number of people received the flu shot last year.

The new infection numbers in Wasco as of Nov. 1 were 6,586 compared to 6,468 from Oct. 28. This was an increase in a week of 118 newly infected.

Shafter’s new infection number on Nov. 1 was 4,570 compared to 4,322, an increase of 248 newly infected in Shafter in one week.

The Kern County Public Health Department asks that everyone continue wearing masks and maintain a safe distance from everyone around you.