The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, Dec. 9, endorsed recommendations for booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents ages 16 and 17.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment will offer these shots to eligible teens by appointment starting Dec. 13, at its Mission COVID-19 vaccination clinic, located at 6000 Lamar Ave. Appointments can be scheduled at jocogov.org/coronavirus. Boosters are also available at other providers, including physician offices, pharmacies and grocery stores and these upcoming community vaccine events.

“Recent data shows that booster doses are necessary to fight new COVID-19 variants and control the spread of illness in our community. We are pleased to be able to offer more of our population booster shots that will protect them from severe outcomes, like hospitalization and death,” said Sanmi Areola, PhD, JCDHE director.

Booster doses are not available to individuals under the age of 16.

Those with questions about booster shots and residents in need of assistance to schedule their booster appointments can call 913-715-2819 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can also send an email to jcdhe@jocogov.org. Emails are answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers will be available to answer calls or emails.

Those who are eligible can search for a nearby vaccine provider by visiting vaccines.gov, texting their ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.

JCDHE reports that overall, 70.4% of eligible people in Johnson County are at least partially vaccinated, and 61.4% of eligible people are fully vaccinated.