Louisville's health department receives limited supply of latest COVID vaccine, available by appointment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Local health departments are beginning to get the latest COVID-19 vaccines.

The U.S. recently approved updated vaccines.

As of Monday afternoon, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness currently has a "limited supply" of the shot, according to a spokesperson. Community members wanting to get the vaccine can make an appointment. For a link to make an appointment at either the Newburg or Dixie immunization clinic, click here.

Dr. Kris Bryant, associate medical director at Louisville's health department, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older receive an updated vaccine. She said this updated vaccine targets a variant within the omicron family.

"We are still seeing omicron variant circulate," said Bryant. "So this vaccine is updated to provide the best protection against the COVID variants that are circulating right now."

Nationally, Bryant said COVID cases and hospitalizations are increasing and have been for several weeks.

"I don't think we've seen a big increase locally yet, but if we follow the national trend we could certainly see that," she added.

Bryant said getting vaccinated this fall will boost immunity and ensure the immunity is targeted against the kind of COVID viruses currently circulating.

"Many people, at this point in time, have had COVID, right? But we know that you can be infected with COVID more than once. You can be infected multiple times," she said. "Over time, natural immunity wanes, and so for people who have had COVID, this vaccine can boost their immunity and prevent a future infection or help to make a future infection more mild."

Bryant also said for people who have been immunized in the past, vaccine immunity wanes over time as well, so a vaccine this fall can boost immunity and again ensures it's targeted at what is currently circulating.

The North Central District Health Department, which covers Henry, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky, said health departments should have the vaccine available Sept. 29. It's already accepting appointments for that day and beyond. The department said hours in all four counties will be extended for vaccines, including COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 20.

Across the river in Indiana, the Clark County Health Department said it has some vaccines, but said most people will need to wait a week or two before rolling up their sleeve. The health department there hopes to begin widespread distribution the first week of October.