‘Boosterama’ Returns to Wheaton Mall on Feb. 19; Encourages County Residents to get COVID-19 Booster Shots

Per Montgomery County:

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 10, 2022

Montgomery County, in partnership with Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar and Westfield Wheaton, will again be hosting a “Boosterama” event on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Westfield Wheaton Mall at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. in Wheaton. The Boosterama is an effort by the County to increase the number of people with boosters by taking the vaccine to places like malls and other public areas that are more convenient for residents. First doses for adults and children ages 12 and older will also be available. No appointment is needed. Pediatric doses will not be administered at this event.

The event will be held inside the mall’s entrance 14, on the first floor, near DICK’S Sporting Goods. Eight individuals who receive their booster or first dose vaccination at the event will be chosen at random to receive a $25 gift card to be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s wide variety of retailers. Free rapid test kits and N95 masks will be provided to those who get vaccinated.

“While about half of our eligible population has received boosters, we’re seeing a slowdown in the number of eligible people getting boosters,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “There is a clear correlation between being vaccinated and the reduced impact of severe COVID-19 symptoms. The bottom line is that vaccines work. Please don’t delay getting this extra protection if you still need, and are eligible for, your booster.

The Boosterama is part of a broader effort by the County to maintain its strong collective immunity, especially after the increase in cases these past few months due to the Omicron variant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 84 percent of Montgomery County residents are fully vaccinated, and 95 percent have received at least one dose. While vaccinations provide robust immunity against COVID-19, boosters have shown to create a more sustained protection against the virus, especially as new variants continue circulating in the United States.

To date, more than 407,600 booster doses have been given at County-operated vaccination clinics. While this number represents more than 20 percent of all boosters given throughout the State, it is only about half of the residents who are eligible for boosters have received one. If it has been at least five months since receiving your second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or if it has been two months since you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are eligible for a booster.

In addition to Saturday’s Boosterama, vaccination or booster shots are widely available at locations throughout the community. Make an appointment for a booster shot or find other locations at GoVaxMoco.com. For more information about Por Nuestra Salud Y Bienestar, visit https://www.lhiinfo.org/saludybienestar/.