New Booster Available:
Starting 9/13/22, appointments for the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot are available at all Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) county health department clinics. Appointments can be made through https://covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453.
The FDA has authorized an updated COVID-19 booster that offers improved protection against recent variants. The new booster is bivalent, providing better protection against both the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variants that are currently causing most infections (BA.4 and BA.5).The updated vaccines are recommended for use as a booster shot for those 12 and older at least two months after completion of the primary vaccination series (Pfizer, Moderna or Noravax two-shot regimen, or Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen’s one-shot regimen) or two months after the last booster shot.
“We strongly recommend that anyone eligible should go ahead and receive the updated booster now to provide the best protection against COVID-19 infection and severe complications from COVID-19,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “There is always the possibility of increased cases as we move into the fall and winter months. Don’t wait to protect yourself.”
MSDH recommends vaccination against COVID-19 for anyone 6 months and older. Vaccination is especially important for adults 65 and older, children, and adults who have weakened immune systems, and anyone with underlying health problems.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at no cost from county health departments. See county locations below. Vaccinations are also available at numerous pharmacies and private providers throughout the state.For information about eligibility and to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters, visit covidvaccine.umc.edu. Please remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to your appointment, if available.
Other Information about previous boosters:
Who Should Be Vaccinated
- Persons aged 5 and older can receive COVID-19 vaccines. Booster and third doses are available for qualifying adults 18 and older. More about boosters and third doses »
- Pregnant women, lactating women and those who are immunocompromised may take the vaccine; however, consultation with your healthcare provider is recommended.
- You can be vaccinated if you have tested positive for COVID-19 if you wait until your isolation period is over and your symptoms have significantly improved.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
- You should not receive COVID-19 vaccine if you have had severe reactions from previous vaccines or injectable medications.
Getting Vaccinated
Finding a Vaccination
Vaccinations are widely available around the state at pharmacies, hospitals and private physicians' clinics. Mississippians can also be vaccinated at any county health department.
- Find a free MSDH vaccination site
- Find local pharmacies and healthcare providers giving vaccinations
- If you are homebound and need assistance getting your COVID-19 vaccination, send e-mail to COVIDHomebound@msdh.ms.gov or call 877-978-6453.
After Vaccination
- Side effects: Large-scale testing of COVID-19 vaccines has found a very low rate of serious reactions to vaccination. Like most vaccines, you should expect some soreness and fatigue for up to a day after vaccination, a sign that the body is developing a proper immune response.
- Second doses: Two vaccinations, several weeks apart are be required for full effectiveness with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Read more »
Vaccination Records and Certificates
MSDH does not provide replacement vaccination cards, but our MyIR online service lets you view your immunization records, including records of COVID-19 vaccinations, and print them if needed.
Mississippi Certificates of COVID-19 Vaccination are also available through MyIR.
To get started, register with MyIR.
If you find errors in your vaccination record, contact the MSDH Immunization Office about corrections: 601-576-7751
Your Second Dose
- Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. Both doses of vaccine are necessary to be fully protected against COVID-19.
- If you receive the Pfizer vaccine, you should return 3 to 6 weeks later for your second dose. If you receive the Moderna vaccine, you should return 4 to 6 weeks later for your second dose.
- You must make a separate appointment for your second dose vaccination; it is not done automatically. Look for information on scheduling your second dose in the confirmation e-mail you get for your first vaccination appointment. If you have already had your first vaccination, look for a reminder e-mail with instructions on making your second dose appointment. If you need assistance with making a second dose appointment, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453.
- You will receive a text message reminder about your second vaccination as time for your second dose approaches. You can also set a reminder with the v-safe app for your smartphone.
- Please bring the vaccination card you received at your first dose to your second dose vaccination.
- If possible, schedule your second vaccination at the same location you received your first dose.
Booster Shots and Third Vaccination Doses
An additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine can provide added protection if you have a medical condition that affects your immune system, or if immunity from your initial vaccination has decreased over time.
All adults 18 and older are eligible for booster doses of vaccine to help improve immunity in case your vaccination effectiveness has decreased over time.
More Information
- Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine CDC
- How COVID-19 Vaccines Work CDC
- Facts and Misconceptions about COVID-19 Vaccines CDC
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination CDC
For Vaccination Providers
Additional COVID-19 vaccine doses can improve protection against COVID-19 for older adults, those with certain medical conditions, and other groups at higher risk.
- Booster doses
Booster doses provide additional immunity when the immune response from the first two vaccine doses has decreased over time. About boosters » - Third vaccine doses
Third doses benefit those with severely compromised immune systems when given at least 4 weeks after a two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series. About third doses »
Booster Vaccinations
Adults 18 and over and children 12-17 years old may be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.
Boosters are especially recommended for those who are 65 or older, or with ongoing medical problems.
First Booster
Pfizer and Moderna
You are eligible for a first booster dose if it has been at least five months since your second vaccination of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and meet the age requirements below:
- If you are at least 18, you are eligible for a first booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
- If you are 12-17 years old, you are eligible for a first booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson
If you were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine at least two months ago and you are 18 or older, you are eligible for a first booster dose of any authorized vaccine.
Second booster
You are eligible for a second booster dose if it has been at least four monthssince your first booster dose of any authorized vaccine, and meet the requirements below:
- If you are at least 50 years old, you are eligible for a second booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
- If you are 12 or older and have a weakened immune system, you are eligible for a second booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.
- If you are 18 or older and have a weakened immune system, you are eligible for a second booster dose of Moderna vaccine.
Getting a Booster Dose
- Check with your doctor, a pharmacy, or other vaccination provider about getting a COVID-19 booster dose. Find a vaccination provider »
- First and second booster doses are also available at county health departments. Use the online scheduler below, or call the Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453 for assistance.
Third Vaccine Doses
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine can provide added protection if you have a medical condition that affects your immune system and you are at high risk for developing more serious illness from COVID-19.
Third vaccine doses are available only for those who received Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and whose last shot was at least 4 weeks ago.
Qualifying Conditions
You qualify for a third dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine if you:
- Have been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Have advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Are receiving active treatment with high-dose steroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
- Have any other medical condition that your provider says will limit your immune response
Getting a Third Dose
You can schedule an additional vaccination dose at a county health department or through your doctor or regular health care provider.
- Schedule a third dose appointment at a county health department
You'll be asked questions about qualifying for additional vaccination and be able to select a county health department for an appointment.
Schedule a third dose appointment
- Consult your doctor or a health care provider. They can evaluate your health status and determine whether you need an additional vaccination dose. If you do, they will provide the vaccination.
Free Vaccinations from MSDH
Homebound? If you are homebound and need assistance getting your COVID-19 vaccination, send e-mail to COVIDHomebound@msdh.ms.gov or call 877-978-6453.
MSDH provides free vaccinations at county health departments and special community locations for anyone 5 years of age or older. (A parent or guardian must accompany minors to their vaccination.). Call the Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline at (877) 978-6453 for appointment assistance. No documentation or identification is required.
Please schedule a vaccination ahead of time at county health departments.
When you arrive, expect vaccination and related paperwork to take about 10 minutes. We also have a 15-minute observation period after vaccination.
Free Local County Health Department Vaccination Providers:
Attala County
Attala County Health Department
999 Martin Luther King Drive
Kosciusko MS 39090
Map
Open: Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-289-2351
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Bolivar County
Bolivar County Health Department
711 Third Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
Map
Open: Tuesday–Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-843-2706
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Carroll County
Carroll County Health Department
7225 Hwy 17
Carrolton, MS 38947
Map
Open: Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 662-237-9224
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Holmes County
Holmes County Health Department
22545 Depot St
Lexington, MS 39095
Map
Open: Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-834-3142
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Humphreys County
Humphreys County Health Department
16463 Hwy 49 N
Belzoni, MS 39038
Map
Open: Monday and Wednesday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-247-1861
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Leflore County
Leflore County Health Department
2600 Browning Road
Greenwood, MS 38930
Map
Open: Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-453-0284
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Health Department
707 Alberta Drive
Winona, MS 38967
Map
Open: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Closed on Thursdays
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-283-3655
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Sunflower County
Sunflower County Health Department
227 Martin Luther King Drive
Indianola MS 38751
Map
Open: Monday–Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-887-4951
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Ruleville Clinic
110 East Floyce Street
Ruleville, MS 38771
Map
Open: Fridays only
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 662-756-4881
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.
Washington County
Washington County Health Department
1633 Hospital Street
Greenville, MS 38701
Map
Open: Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 662-332-8177
Some services may require an appointment.
Walk-ins accepted on a limited basis.
Family Planning Services: Please call before you visit.