COVID-19 booster shots available for kids 5-11 at Forsyth County Department of Public Health

COVID-19 booster shots are now available in North Carolina for children ages 5-11. The news comes amid a surge in cases. 

The percent positive rate in Forsyth County is now at 17.7% — close to what it was in mid-February as the omicron wave was winding down. 

County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says the best way to protect yourself is to make sure you're up to date on boosters, as they greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. Demand for the shots remains stagnant. 

“We're staying at 30 to 40 people per day that are coming through the health department mostly to get boosters, a few still first doses, it's never too late to get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine," said Swift. "But we're not seeing a big demand.”

That could change soon though, as the state health department recently approved boosters for children ages 5-11. Swift says the county health department is now offering boosters to those in this age range, as long as it's been five months since their second shot. 

More information about child vaccination sites is available at MySpot.nc.gov.