Myths abound regarding the COVID vaccine. Alexander Valley Healthcare (AVH), Cloverdale’s wellness and primary care center partner, is here to bust myths and keep us all healthy. Here are the facts:
Boosters: As of 8/18/2021, the CDC recommends EVERYONE who had an mRNA vaccine should receive a third dose of the vaccine eight months after their second dose. For example, if you had your second Moderna dose in February, the earliest you’re eligible for the booster is the first week in October.
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA vaccines. Like a recipe, the mRNA vaccine instructs our bodies to recognize the virus and to make antibodies to fight it. You will likely be protected from the virus but if you do get it, symptoms will be lessened, or absent.
What about the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen vaccine? The J&J Janssen vaccine was released in the U.S. in March 2021. It is based on a harmless version of a different virus to deliver information to the body that helps protect you. No recommendation for a J&J booster dose has been released. Go to https://www.cdc.gov for more information.
Which vaccine should I get for the booster? Your third dose should be the same brand as the first and second.
Oh no, I forgot what brand of vaccine I got the first time! That’s ok! All COVID vaccines administered in the state of California are registered in the state’s vaccine database. Call or come into Alexander Valley Healthcare for your vaccine record.
Where can I get a booster? Various entities provide the public with boosters including AVH. Check www.alexandervalleyhealthcare.org for dates and times and schedule your booster appointment.
You can still get a booster vaccine from AVH, even if you are not an AVH patient or did not receive your initial COVID vaccine from AVH. AVH is here to support our wonderful patients and community in conquering this pandemic.
Where can I get tested for COVID? Free testing at AVH is available by appointment for anyone. If you are asymptomatic, please call 894-4229 to request a COVID test appointment. If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your primary care physician for the appropriate next steps. The physician can determine whether the symptoms align with COVID and therefore warrant a test.
Visit www.alexandervalleyhealthcare.org for up-to-date COVID information.