COVID-19 and Flu Updates

The COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to:

• Pregnant, breastfeeding, and lactating women
• Those who have already contracted COVID-19
• Those with underlying medical conditions, including people who are immunosuppressed

Side effects of the COVID vaccine can include:

• Pain/swelling at the injection site
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Tiredness

In most cases, discomfort from fever or pain is normal. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours or if your side effects are worrying you and do not seem to be going away after a few days.

Learn more on coadministration of the flu and COVID vaccine here.

The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease.

At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. That immune response and making antibodies is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

• Call or text (760) 736-6767
• Use our online scheduling tool
• Log in and schedule directly in your MyChart account

Please check the vaccine location pages for up-to-date hours.

Some people may have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is not currently authorized in the United States. In some circumstances people who received a COVID-19 vaccine not currently authorized in the United States may be offered revaccination with an FDA-authorized vaccine.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. It all starts with you. Building defenses against COVID-19 in our community is a team effort. You are a key part of that defense. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection in addition to measures like mask-wearing, social distancing, and diligent hand-washing.

Monitor your health and seek prompt medical care if your symptoms get worse, especially if you are at an increased risk for serious illness. This includes older adults (risk for severe illness increases with age) and people with underlying medical conditions (such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), immunocompromised, obesity, heart conditions, sickle cell disease, type 2 diabetes).

Call 911 if you are experiencing any symptoms that require emergency assistance such as:
Trouble breathing, pressure or pain in chest, bluish lips or face, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake

Paxlovid is for adults and children 12 years and older who are at higher risk for developing serious COVID-19 health complications that may lead to hospitalization and/or death.

Paxlovid should be considered when the following criteria is present:

• Have a current diagnosis of mild to moderate COVID-19 and are within 5 days of symptom onset, AND
• Have one or more risk factors for severe COVID-19

First, you must test positive with a PCR or rapid test. This can be done at home, at a regular health care provider’s office, or at a testing site.

If you test positive at a “Test to Treat” location, you may be eligible to receive antiviral medication on the spot. If you test positive at a different testing site or through an at-home testing kit, you can schedule an appointment with your provider to possibly get a prescription as well.