Health Department to offer booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds

The Unified Government Health Department announced today it is offering COVID-19 booster shots for those who are ages 16 and 17 who are at least six months out from their second dose.

This follows FDA authorization and recommendations from the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.


Booster eligibility for 16- and 17-year-olds


• People ages 16 and 17 are only eligible for a Pfizer booster. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for 16- and 17-year-olds at this time.

• Individuals ages 16 and 17 must be at least 6 months out from their second dose of Pfizer to be eligible for a booster.

• Bring your vaccination card when coming in for a booster.

COVID-19 vaccine and booster locations

The Health Department provides COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 5 and older, and boosters for individuals ages 16 and older, at the Kmart site, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.


• Hours through Dec. 17: Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Holiday hours Dec. 20 – Dec. 29: Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• January hours: to be determined.

The Health Department also offers COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 12 and older, including boosters for eligible people ages 16 and older, at the Health Department building at 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, by appointment only. Call 913-573-8855 to make an appointment.

Additional vaccination sites can be found at vaccines.gov.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Wyandotte County, visit WycoVaccines.org.

Vaccine clinics this weekend

There are also some vaccine clinics coming up this weekend in Wyandotte County, including:

• Free COVID vaccines for children 5-11 years old from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Donnelly College Event Center, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The clinic is open to children. Signups are at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/697014812138174049/false#/invitation.

• A COVID vaccine drive-through event is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Mt. Carmel Church, 2025 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kansas. This event will have COVID vaccines, testing, flu shots and free food. COVID vaccines are for ages 12 and older, while flu shots are for ages 3 to 65. Everyone who receives a COVID vaccine will get a $25 gift card, and the first 100 people will receive two gift cards. The first 300 people to get a COVID test, COVID vaccine or flu shot will receive a free frozen chicken. The food and giveaways are available until supplies run out. The Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force is a sponsor of this event, with several other groups.

• Free COVID vaccines will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Sacred Heart Church, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Participants may receive the first, second or third dose. Three COVID vaccines will be available. Participants who are Wyandotte County residents may win a $25 gift card per person, or $100 per family. Vaccines are available for anyone 5 years and older, and booster shots for anyone 18 and older. Free hams and chickens, one per family with at least one vaccinated person, will be given away while supplies last. Also, participants who receive a vaccine will receive a free order of tacos.