West Virginia approves second COVID-19 boosters for residents 50 and older

West Virginians aged 50 or older can now receive a second booster shot for their COVID-19 vaccines if four months have passed since their original booster shot, Gov. Jim Justice announced Tuesday.

The GOP governor approved the second booster shot following a recent recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as the B2a, a sub-variant of the virus' highly-contagious Omicron variant arrives in the U.S. 

In addition to anyone 50 years old or older, certain immunocompromised people aged 12 and older will also be able to get a second booster shot.

"Please take advantage of this," Justice said. "We know for a fact that these vaccines are incredibly safe. We are living proof of that. You just can’t take a chance with this thing.”

Second booster shot doses are available at any locations in the state that offers vaccines, according to the governor’s office.