Updated COVID boosters will be available soon. Here’s where you can find one in the Green Bay area

COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have increased slightly in northeastern Wisconsin, though they remain much lower than this time last year.

As of Sept. 2, the seven-day average of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the northeast region of the state was 10 patients, up from 5 on Aug. 1, according to data from the state Department of Health Services. In contrast, around 60 patients were hospitalized in early September 2022.

Nationwide, COVID-19 infections have been increasing slowly since early July.

An updated vaccine is expected to be announced soon that could offer more protection against current omicron variants of the virus. The updated booster expected to be available in September.

On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID-19 booster manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, targeting the XBB.1.5 variant, which was the dominant variant last spring and this summer.

Remember:

• The shot is free; you don’t need insurance.
• A Social Security number is not required in order to get a booster.

Here’s more information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters?

Everyone 6 years and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they received an original shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as the elderly and the severely immunocompromised, should consider getting a booster of the vaccine now and not waiting, if it has been a long time since they have gotten a booster shot or have never gotten a booster.

For others, experts recommend waiting until the new COVID-19 booster is available this month or early October. The booster is designed to protect against new strains of the virus.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Green Bay?

• Meijer, 2015 Shawano Ave., Howard
• CVS Pharmacy, 1561 W. Mason St., Green Bay
• Metro Market Pharmacy, 1291 Lombardi Access Road, Ashwaubenon
• Walgreens, 116 N. Military Ave., Green Bay
• De Pere Health Department, 335 S. Broadway, De Pere
• CVS Pharmacy, 1001 Cormier Road, Ashwaubenon
• Walgreens, 2301 S. Oneida St., Ashwaubenon
• CVS Pharmacy, 2400 Velp Ave., Howard
• CVS Pharmacy, 930 Main St., Green Bay
• Walgreens, 1401 E. Mason St., Green Bay
• Aurora Health Center Suamico, 2890 Lineville Road, Suamico
• CVS Pharmacy #02214, 800 Main Ave., De Pere
• Walgreens #15637, 150 S. Wisconsin St., De Pere
• Pick N Save Pharmacy #53400186, 1819 Main St., Green Bay
• Walgreens #3253, 2204 University Ave., Green Bay
• CVS Pharmacy, 2050 Lime Kiln Road, Bellevue
• Aurora Health Center De Pere, 1881 Chicago St., De Pere
• Walmart, 2292 Main St., Bellevue
• Walgreens, 1979 Lime Kiln Road, Bellevue
• Costco, 2355 Costco Way, Bellevue
• Aurora BayCare Children’s Health, 1160 Kepler Drive, Green Bay
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center – Women’s Center, 2845 Greenbrier Road, Green Bay
• Aurora Health Center, 4070 Equestrian Road, New Franken
• Aurora Health Center, 629 Solvang Way, Denmark

Where else can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

For more COVID-19 vaccination locations, visit vaccines.gov, and enter your zip code to find nearby vaccine locations.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

Walgreens locations in the Green Bay area offers on-site testing. Since the COVID-19 public health emergency ended May 11, insurance coverage of COVID tests may have changed for some plans, though uninsured patients may still qualify for a free test.

For more COVID-19 testing locations, visit testinglocator.cdc.gov.

Where can I get at-home tests?

Though the government is no longer providing free at-home tests, people can buy tests online or at pharmacies and other local retailers, including Amazon, CVS, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. Tests usually cost under $25 per box.

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiration dates of various at-home COVID-19 tests by months and even years. The extended expiration dates by type of test and brand can be found on the FDA’s website.

Contributing: Claire Reid.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for northeastern Wisconsin. Contact her with story tips and feedback at [email protected].