NEWS

What to know about Wednesday’s free COVID-19 booster, all-brand vaccination clinic

Jessica Skropanic
Siskiyou Daily News

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People wishing to get a COVID-19 booster or other COVID-19 shot can do so Wednesday afternoon at a free vaccination clinic in Yreka hosted by public health.

Among the shots available will be the Pfizer-brand boosters, according to the Siskiyou County Health and Human Services Agency.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters could also be available, HHSA spokeswoman Angie Cook said. "(That's) if the California Department of Public Health gives us the okay to start doing other boosters by Oct. 27."

Boosters are recommended for people who had their last vaccine dose at least six months ago. They're available now for people ages 65 or older, as well as to those ages 18 and older who work in a high-risk setting, live in a long-term care facility or have an underlying medical condition that makes them more susceptible to the effects of COVID.

Public health will also offer the following shots at the free vaccine clinic:

  • The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • The first or second shot in the two-dose Pfizer vaccine series
  • The first or second shot in the two-dose Moderna vaccine series

A third full dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available to people with conditions that weaken their immune systems. This is not a booster shot; it's a full third dose.

“People with moderate to severely compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and may not build the same level of immunity (as others) to two-dose vaccine series,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. 

Go to https://bit.ly/3psa0W9 for more information on who qualifies for a third COVID vaccine dose.

Here is what else to know about the vaccine clinic:

  • The clinic is open to anyone ages 12 and older.
  • Anyone coming for a second or third dose should bring their CDC or other vaccination record card.
  • People can drop in for a shot at the Yreka Community Center between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 27 at 810 N. Oregon St. in Yreka. 
  • Plan to stay for a 15- to 30-minute observation period after receiving a vaccine.
  • No appointment is required, but making one will help staff plan the event, public health said. To do so, go to MyTurn.ca.gov. 
  • Anyone who had a severe allergic reaction to components in the COVID-19 vaccine — polysorbate or Polyethylene glycol — should not attend the clinic, public health said. Instead, they should ask their doctor or other health care provider about getting a vaccine.

For more information, call 530-841-2134 or email phinfo@co.siskiyou.ca.us.

In Siskiyou County, there were more than 4,600 cases of COVID tracked by public health since March 2020. Of those, 62 people died of the disease as of Friday, Oct. 22. 

More:

"Vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting — COVID-19, including (the more-aggressive Delta) variant," according to the CDC. Should someone get a breakthrough case, the vaccine reduces the likelihood they'll get sick enough to go to the hospitalization or die.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.