LEXINGTON, Ky. — Getting back to normalcy is a goal of many families with the holiday season coming up. With that goal in mind, CVS Pharmacy is rolling out Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots at 9,800 locations across the country, including 80 here in the Commonwealth. 

“We know of course, science thus far has proven that the safest, most effective way to prevent against not only COVID-19 but those serious complications like hospitalizations, death is through is vaccination," said Ashlee Slocum, a CVS Health district leader. "So the approval of the booster dose ensures we got optimal protection for those specific populations against COVID-19 and those complications."

Currently Kentucky's COVID-19 numbers reflect a positivity rate of 6.25%, 9,559 deaths and total of 734,137 people infected, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services. A large focus on getting overall COVID-19 cases down across America has been a part of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s plan as he previously stated during interviews on "Face the Nation."

“We can do it by people getting vaccinated and [we're] also in a situation where boosters are appropriate to get people boosted because we know they can help greatly in diminishing infection and diminishing advanced disease, the kinds of data that are now accumulating in real time,” said Fauci.

With the holiday season coming up, more boosters being made available can ensure families a safe gathering if they wish to do so. Dr. Anthony Fauci recently came under fire in early October about his holiday guidance. He stated “I encourage people, particularly the vaccinated people, to have a good normal Christmas with your family.” 

After the backlash of sending the wrong message the guidance was updated as “the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk” is to get vaccinated if eligible.

Places like CVS Pharmacy are making getting the booster shot easy and convenient.

“We have made it really easy to visit CVS.com or our CVS app. We also show which location carries which type of booster dose, whether Pfizer or Moderna and you are able to see all available appointment times so you pick the location that works best for you in your community and the vaccine that works best for you,” said Slocum.

9,800 total CVS locations across the United States have the COVID-19 booster shot available. The corporation currently has Moderna and Pfizer available for third doses. Those who have been vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson are still eligible for a dose of the booster through the new, approved ‘mix and match’ from the CDC.

Booster shots will be available in CVS standalone and Target stores, and the corporation said people can also schedule their flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 booster.