Demand for new COVID-19 vaccine rises in Forsyth County

Demand for COVID-19 vaccinations is up significantly in Forsyth County, about a month after the FDA approved a new formulation of the shot. 

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health began offering the updated COVID-19 boosters on October 2. Director Joshua Swift says since then, interest has exploded. 

“We had gotten to where it was less than, like, 10 or so a day that were coming through. Sometimes it would be sparse," he said. "The first two days we saw approximately 200 per day, and over 700 for the week.”

The numbers are still nowhere near where they were during the initial vaccine rollout in 2021, when the county was immunizing up to 1700 people per day. That’s in part because the booster is available at many other locations, including doctor’s offices and most pharmacies. Still, he says they have brought in volunteers to help manage traffic in the county's clinic. 

The county recently approved an additional $1.3 million to expand its COVID-19 vaccination program. Swift says the money will be used in part to restore their mobile vaccination bus.

Forsyth County is offering both flu and COVID vaccines at its clinic at no cost from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed.