Novant Health to offer booster doses; announces updates to mass vaccination sites

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Following expanded emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Novant Health today announced that it will begin offering booster doses for everyone 18 and older on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Appointments are required for individuals seeking a booster dose to ensure availability.

Novant Health also announced holiday closures of its mass vaccination and COVID-19 testing locations. In addition, Novant Health Medical Group – East Mecklenburg in Charlotte will move to a new location beginning Monday, Dec. 6.  All patients who have a scheduled vaccination on or after this date, including second and booster doses, will now go to the Novant Health Medical Group – Baldwin location. Current and future operating hours are as follows:

Winston-Salem

Novant Health Medical Group – Hanes (196 Hanes Mall Circle, Winston-Salem, NC 27103) is open:

• For vaccination appointments on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Nov. 25 and Dec. 23.

Novant Health Medical Group – Hanes (190 Hanes Mall Circle, Winston-Salem, NC 27103) is open:

• For COVID-19 test appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Nov. 26^th, Dec. 24^th and Dec. 31^st

Charlotte

Novant Health Medical Group – East Mecklenburg (6070 East Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28212) is open:

• For vaccination appointments on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• For COVID-19 test appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26
• This location’s last day of operations will be Nov. 30.

Novant Health Medical Group – Baldwin (address 125 Baldwin Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204) will begin operations on Monday, Dec. 6 This new location will be open:

• For vaccination appointments on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• For COVID-19 test appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31.

Novant Health Medical Group - Huntersville (17220 Northcross Dr. Suite 110, Huntersville, NC 28078) is open:

• For vaccination appointments on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Nov. 25 and Dec. 23.

Salisbury:

Novant Health Medical Group - Salisbury (828 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Salisbury, NC 28147) is open: 

• For vaccination appointments on Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• This location will be closed on Nov. 26, Dec 24 and Dec 31

As a reminder, we ask anyone seeking a COVID-19 test or a COVID-19 vaccine to first make an appointment. You do not have to be a Novant Health patient to schedule. Ways to schedule include:

• MyChart: MyChart is the best way to schedule an appointment. Anyone can create a MyChart account by visiting MyNovant.org. Appointment availability can be accessed under Visits > Schedule an appointment.
• NovantHealth.org/CovidTest: Anyone can schedule a testing appointment online.
• GetVaccinated.org: Anyone can schedule a vaccination appointment online.
• Primary care clinics: established patients are able to call their primary care clinic to schedule an appointment at that clinic, if it is offering the vaccine, or at the nearest Novant Health vaccination site.
• Those who do not have access to the internet or a primary care provider can call 855-NH-VAC-4U (855-648-2248) for scheduling assistance.
• Asymptomatic patients seeking travel, return-to-work or return-to-school clearance are asked to use the NCDHHS Test Site Finder for a location that better suits their needs. Testing continues to be available at Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care centers for symptomatic patients.

Booster eligibility criteria by products:

Moderna

• Who is eligible? Individuals 18 and older
• When can those eligible receive the booster? At least six months following the second dose in the primary Moderna series
• Is the booster the same product as the first two doses? No. The booster is a half-dose

Johnson & Johnson

• Who is eligible?  Individuals 18 years and older.
• When can those eligible receive the booster? At least two months following first Johnson & Johnson dose
• Is the booster the same product as the first dose? Yes. It’s the same product that people received before

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) 

• Who is eligible? Individuals 18 years and older.
• When can those eligible receive the booster? At least six months following second dose in the primary Pfizer-BioNTech series
• Is the booster the same product as the first two doses? Yes. It’s the same product that people received before

Most frequently asked questions:

Do I need to receive the same vaccine product I received earlier in the series?

You can, but you do not have to. Following updated guidance from the FDA, eligible individuals can “mix and match” booster doses following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine.

Can I receive the booster at the same time as my flu vaccine or other vaccines?

Yes. You can receive COVID-19 vaccines the same day as other vaccines. You can also receive COVID-19 vaccines if you have received another vaccine within two weeks.

Do I need to bring my COVID-19 vaccine card to my appointment? 

Yes, please bring your vaccine card. Physical cards and photos of cards will be accepted. If you have lost your vaccination card, and you did not receive your previous doses with Novant Health, you should contact the site where you obtained your vaccine series to confirm the product you received and dates. If you have lost your vaccination card and you did receive your previous doses with Novant Health, we will be able to access your records and issue a replacement card.

How will we verify an individual’s eligibility? Is identification required?

Individuals self-identify and attest to their eligibility status. Individuals will not be asked for any identification or proof of residency. Insurance is not required, however patients are asked for insurance information if they have it for filing of the administration of the vaccine purposes only.

Is the booster dose free?

Yes. All COVID-19 vaccines are free for every individual, including those who do not have insurance.