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To All SBNC patients:

Thank you for trusting us with your health care! We are honored to be your partner.

There is a lot of confusion in the media about COVID-19 infections, their initial vaccinations and boosters.

This information is intended to help clarify some of these issues.

COVID-19 infections:

Hospitalizations and deaths are all decreasing now after the most recent spike in cases due to the Delta Variant (now the dominant or most frequent type of COVID-19 in the USA).

However, as long as COVID-19 virus remains in our communities, it is a matter of time before we have another variant leading to another spike, as the virus continues to infect persons with low immunity against the virus (ie. unvaccinated persons, or persons whose immunity is deficient).

We expect that the COVID-19 virus will remain with us and will be managed through vaccination and early diagnosis, with treatment if needed, similar to annual flu, and other respiratory viruses. The difference between COVID-19 and these other common viruses is that it can cause very serious disease and death at a much higher rate. Fortunately, we now have three vaccines in the US that are highly effective and very safe.

Current Status of Vaccinations against COVID-19:

 Our primary goal continues to be to complete the initial series of any of the FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer 2 doses, Moderna 2 doses, Janssen (J&J) 1 dose). California currently is at ~62% fully vaccinated vs the USA total at ~57% fully vaccinated.

Persons 18 yo and older may receive any of the 3 US FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna or Janssen.

Persons 12 yo and older may receive the Pfizer 2 dose series at this time.

For children 5-11 years old, we are expecting FDA/CDC authorization of the Pfizer 2 dose series within the next few weeks.

Booster Shots (additional doses of the primary vaccine ):

Additional shots (Pfizer OR Moderna), to be administered at least 28 days after the initial series, are currently recommended for anyone, age 12 or older, who is considered immunocompromised (Receiving active cancer treatment, have received a solid organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressant medications, have received a stem cell transplant in the prior 2 years, have a diagnoses primary immunodeficiency syndrome, have advanced or untreated HIV infection, are on active treatment with high dose steroids or other immunomodulator medications.)

Boosters are also now approved for anyone who received the Pfizer vaccine series and is now age ≥65 or age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions (cancer, chronic diseased of the hear, lungs, liver, kidney, dementia, HIV, or other chronic diseases). These individuals SHOULD receive a 3^rd Pfizer dose, to be administered 6 months after the second dose of the initial series.

Persons age 18-49 with underlying medical conditions OR those 18-64 who are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19 due to their work or institutional settings, MAY receive a Pfizer booster, 6 months after the second dose of their initial series of Pfizer vaccine. (Healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, workers in Nursing Homes or group homes).

Additional booster doses of Moderna and /or Janssen (J&J) vaccines are not currently recommended. Studies are currently underway to see if they are necessary for long term protection against CoVid-19.

Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics remains dedicated to providing the highest quality, affordable medical, dental and behavioral healthcare to its community of need. We are also committed in keeping our staff as safe as possible during this stressful time. We will continue to stay up-to-date of community, state, and national guidelines.