The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster vaccine for seniors age 65 and older and people at high risk of death or hospitalization from the virus.
As soon as the State of California approves the administration of these boosters, the County will announce their availability and begin dispensing.
People who are eligible will be encouraged to make an appointment by visiting sbcovid19.com or by contacting their local pharmacy or health care provider. Because of possible high demand created by this expanded eligibility, walk-in vaccination service could be limited, so appointments are strongly recommended. People who need assistance making an appointment or who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to call the COVID-19 hotline at (909) 387-3911 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The FDA authorization only applies to those who received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine six months ago or more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend mixing brands of vaccine.
The Moderna vaccine has only been authorized as a third dose for people who are severely immunocompromised. A booster vaccine has not yet been authorized for those who took the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
To view a copy of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Action Plan, click here.
Healthcare providers encouraged to dispense vaccinations
Vaccinations are expected to ramp up again as eligibility for vaccinations begins to widen with boosters and later this fall, if children ages 5 to 11 become eligible for vaccines. The County encourages healthcare providers to help administer shots to their patients.
COVID-19 vaccine providers do not have to be limited to a pharmacy or hospital. Any doctor’s office, skilled nursing facility, clinic or even school can sign up to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider. They can register through the State of California through the myCAvax program.
Unlike other locations in the world, the COVID-19 vaccines are provided at 100% no cost to recipients. County residents are very grateful to health care providers and organizations willing and able to administer COVID-19 vaccines to their patients and the surrounding community.
To support COVID-19 vaccine providers, the County has a team dedicated to providing excellent and timely service. This service includes the ability to order any vaccine brand in smaller quantities for smaller practices.
“As a County, we strive to support not only our community, but also our valued healthcare heroes and frontline teams. We are simply the support system for the great work they do every day to help keep our community healthy,” said Josh Dugas, San Bernardino County Director of Public Health.
The County recently launched a revamped COVID-19 provider support page at: https://sbcovid19.com/vaccineprovider.
“We decided to become a COVID-19 vaccine provider because, being a new pharmacy, it was a great outreach opportunity,” said Bear Valley Pharmacy staff. “It brought in people that may not have been aware of our existence had it not been for the vaccines.”
If your medical provider or pediatrician is interested in becoming a COVID-19 vaccine provider, we encourage them to check out the San Bernardino County provider support page and get started today. Together, we can make COVID-19 a thing of the past.
For more local news and information click here.