If you had a second dose of Moderna at least six months ago, the Osage County Health Department (OCHD) can now provide a third booster.

Administrator Kim Sallin explained the authorization for this dose was finalized last Friday and will be available — along with all COVID-19 vaccines — at the weekly walk-in clinic at the Annex Building on Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Moderna and Pfizer are a 2 shot series but now the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is also recommending a second dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for those who received the initial dose at least two months previous.

Sallin noted that to receive a booster shot, a vaccination card or proof of previous vaccination must be presented.

As of Tuesday, the total number of COVID cases has reached 2,316, up from 2,295 the previous week. To date, 24 Osage County residents have died from COVID.

A total of 136 COVID cases have been reported among those 12 and under, including five in the last week.

A total of 70 breakthrough cases have been reported, with none in the last week. Two Osage County residents are currently hospitalized.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), 26.55% of county residents aged 12-17 and 50.11% of those 18 and older have received the vaccine.

OCHD staff administered 41 COVID doses last week.

Sallin said the sewer-shed project is still ongoing to test water samples in various communities for the presence of COVID.

“There was a significant increase in the viral load found in samples from 14 communities, many of which had a lower overall number of cases,” she said. “That means either a lot of people are testing at home and not reporting, or vaccinated people who have mild or no symptoms are not being tested but are positive. If a person is positive, the virus will show up in the water. The data is quantifiable but may be skewed because it depends on people reporting a positive test result. The bottom line is that the virus is still out there and people need to protect themselves.”

A total of 125 flu vaccinations were given last week, including six at Friday’s health fair, which was hosted by MU Extension.

Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin and Western District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes received the flu vaccine on Monday.

“We encourage everyone to get a flu shot,” said Sallin.

The last scheduled flu clinic is set for Oct. 28, from 2-7 at the Osage County Community Center but flu shots are still available upon request at the health department.