Dear Patient,
Your health is important to us. There has been a great deal of changing information on COVID vaccines coming out over the last few weeks. In light of that, we would like to share some important information about COVID-19 vaccines, third doses, and boosters, as well as flu shots.
COVID-19 VACCINES - WHO’S ELIGIBLE?
Right now, anyone age 12 years and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
People who are immunocompromised (whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely) should receive a third dose of the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days following their second dose. If you meet this criteria, please contact your doctor for a third dose.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends COVID-19 booster shots, in certain populations to help strengthen protection against severe disease caused by the virus. These “booster” doses are intended for people who are not immune compromised, who we just discussed above.
Currently, anyone 65 and older, residents in long-term care settings, and people age 50-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions (for example, cancer, chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, dementia or other neurological conditions, HIV infections, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.) should receive a booster shot 6 months following their second dose of their Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Note that this only applies (currently) to people who received the Pfizer vaccine for their first two dose.
People age 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, or people age 18-64 who are at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of an occupational or institutional setting (such as healthcare workers, frontline workers, teachers) may receive a booster shot 6 months following their second dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
As we alluded to above, individuals who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are not yet eligible to receive a booster shot at this time. The CDC is reviewing data and has indicated it will make recommendations regarding boosters for these other COVID-19 vaccine formulations in the coming weeks.
SCHEDULING A COVID-19 VACCINE OR A FLU SHOT
Below are some quick tips on how to schedule any type of COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose (for the Pfizer series), or a flu shot:
For patients age 18 and older,
MyChart is the easiest way to schedule. Go to MyChart.sansumclinic.org, select “Visits,” then “Schedule an Appointment” and follow the prompts to complete your appointment. If you do not have MyChart,
click here to sign up. If you do not have access to MyChart, you can make an appointment by calling
(805) 681-7805.
If you wish to schedule with another community provider, visit
myturn.ca.gov or call
(805) 422-4255.
For patients age 12-17 years old, call the Pediatrics Department at (805) 563-6211. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently approved for people age 12-17. Patients need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and a consent form is required.
At this time, no COVID-19 vaccines are approved for children younger than 12 years of age. Trials are underway for this group, and the FDA is expected to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for children ages 5-11. We will be in touch as soon as we are able to schedule children in this age range.
STAYING HEALTHY THIS FALL
As we enter the fall season, we want to update you on some measures we are taking in order to keep COVID-19, as well as cold and flu illness, at bay.
Consider flu shots for your family. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older and is more important than ever. Flu shots will not prevent COVID-19, but they will help protect you and your loved ones from the flu, and conserve healthcare resources for those that need it. Schedule an appointment on
MyChart or by calling (805)681-7805. Influenza can look very much like COVID-19, particularly early in the illness. So, another reason to get the flu shot this year is to not subject yourself and your contacts to the need to get tested for COVID-19 or the flu in the event you get an influenza-like-illness.
Wear your mask. Masks are safe for children 2 years and older. To maximize protection from the Delta variant, wear a mask in crowded settings or when you are with others who may not be vaccinated. Masks are required at all Sansum Clinic locations.
Visit Sansum Clinic’s Urgent Care located at 215 Pesetas Lane if you need urgent or after hours care. Walk up appointments are available from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. If you do not want to wait in person, log on to
MyChart to see if any Same Day Appointments are available.
Schedule COVID-19 testing if you need it at the below locations:
•
Sansum Clinic Pesetas Urgent Care – You can schedule a Same Day Appointment through
MyChart, as availability allows. Otherwise, walk-up appointments are available daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
•
Cottage Health Urgent Care – select locations offer drive-up testing for patients with symptoms.
Click here for more information or to make an appointment.
• Santa Barbara County Public Health Department – testing is available at the Santa Barbara Testing Trailer and Goleta Valley Community Center. Click here for more information or to make an appointment.
• For additional information on testing in Santa Barbara County,
click here.
As always, the health of you and your family is important to us. We thank you for choosing Sansum Clinic to receive your healthcare. We’re here for you!
Sincerely,
Your Sansum Clinic Medical Team