COVID-19 Vaccine
Santa Rosa Community Health is pleased to announce that we are now offering vaccines to people ages 6 months and older. We are dedicated to making sure everyone, regardless of status or insurance, gets their shot as soon as possible. It’s important to know the facts about the vaccine and be ready.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Children & The COVID-19 Vaccine
Lea acerca de las vacunas del COVID-19 para niños aqui.
Why is it important to get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine reduces your chances of getting sick from COVID-19, is a safe way to build protection from the virus. It is the most important tool we have to beat the COVID-19 pandemic together.
When and where will I get my vaccine?
If you are a patient of Santa Rosa Community Health, you can:
- Walk into your health center between 9am-4pm and ask for a vaccine.
- Call our call center and make an appointment.
- Ask your provider at your next visit if you can get it then.
- Look for appointments at local pharmacies on MyTurn.gov.
Who is eligible to get the COVID Vaccine and what are the age requirements?
Help protect your whole family by getting yourself and your children 6 months of age and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Pfizer BioNTech – available to anyone over the age of 6 months
- Moderna – available to anyone over the age of 6 months
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen – available to anyone over the age of 18
What is the difference between the third dose and booster shot and who should receive them?
- A Third COVID-19 dose is indicated for moderately or severely immune-compromised persons who did not mount sufficient antibody response to be protected from COVID-19 infection. They are eligible for 3rd COVID-19 doses 28 days after their 2nd dose. People who received Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccines are eligible for a third dose. The CDC has outlined a list of conditions and/or medications that warrant a 3rd dose. At this time persons receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine are not eligible for a second dose.
- Pfizer Booster Doses is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the initial series of shots has begun to decrease over time. Everyone over the age of 12 is encouraged to get a booster 5 months after the completion of the primary series when immunity starts to decrease. The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer
Should I get my booster shot?
Yes. Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time due to changes in variants. As we learned during the Omicron surge, getting vaccinated AND boosted is critical to protect you and others against COVID-19.
Schedule your COVID vaccine today, call 707-303-3600.
- Bring your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card to your booster shot appointment so your provider can fill in the information about your booster dose. If you did not receive a card at your first appointment, contact the vaccination site where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how you can get a card.
- You may experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
- Short-term Side Effects: The vaccines may cause side effects in some people, like sore muscles, feeling tired, or mild fever. These reactions mean the vaccine is working to help teach your body how to fight COVID-19 if you are exposed. For most people, these side effects will last no longer than a day or two. Having these types of side effects does NOT mean that you have COVID-19.
- Long-term Side Effects: So far no long-term effects have been observed.
- Allergic Reactions: Though rare, people with a prior history of a severe allergic reaction to injections such as vaccines do have an increased risk for severe allergic reactions from this vaccine too. If you are someone who has had an allergic reaction previously, consult with your doctor.
Will the vaccine protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?
Yes, studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Like all vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing infection. Some people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations will get COVID-19 breakthrough infection, however experts think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do get COVID-19. These vaccines cannot give you the disease itself.
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes, due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible. It is recommended that you get the vaccine after you are no longer in isolation.
At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.
How do I get my vaccine if I am not a patient at SRCH?
If you are not a patient at SRCH you can schedule an appointment for vaccine myturn.ca.gov.
Our trusted partners, Cheryl Fox and Associates are now operating the Roseland Vaccine Site – 779 Sebastopol Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95407. Open to ALL, and walk-ins are welcomed!
How much will the vaccine cost and will my insurance cover it?
There is NO cost for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are working together to end the global pandemic and no one will be denied
the vaccine for cost.
- SRCH patients, people on Medi-Cal, Medicare or uninsured, can get their vaccine at Santa Rosa Community health.
- People with private insurance who are not SRCH patients can get it from their primary care provider.
- The county, health centers, and hospitals are also working together on community vaccine clinics. These will still be prioritized on risk factors like age, health conditions and exposure risk. Learn about the County plans here.