Saratoga County seeing increased demand for booster shots

BALLSTON SPA – When Renee Madcharo left Ithaca College at the end of the fall semester, COVID-19 was starting to ramp back up.

So when she headed back home to Ballston Spa for winter break, she was eager to get her booster shot, booking an appointment at one of the county’s booster clinics.

"I love to visit my family and friends when I’m back home," she said. "I wanted to have that extra security when I see them, so it’s just something in the background that I don’t have to worry about."

Renee isn’t alone. For some people, like Samantha Ronca, the new Omicron variant was a major factor.

"It definitely is making me more nervous because things were starting to go back to normal, and now we have this new variant out there, and more and more people are getting COVID again," Ronca said. "It was filling up pretty fast, so I took the first appointment I could get."

With the holidays right around the corner, Saratoga County’s booster clinic was booked up Wednesday.

"Our public health services has seen a great demand for booster shots. We have clinics every week, and we are continuing to add clinics," said Christine Rush, director of public relations for Saratoga County.

The county’s next booster clinic with appointments available is happening on Dec. 29.

It’s a trend that’s being seen in other places as well, with Warren County’s booster clinics also filling up fast.

As Saratoga County gears up for a possible holiday surge, they’re asking people to do their part.

"We all know the steps we need to take to stay safe, and we hope everyone does that," she added.

For more information on upcoming booster clinics happening in Saratoga County, click here. For more information on state-run vaccination sites, click here.