Flu and COVID shots on October 17th
It’s flu shot time again at St. Luke’s! And…for those who qualify for a COVID vaccine booster, these will be available also. Sooo….here’s the scoop:
When: Sunday, October 17, from 8 am to 12 noon
Where: The “new” church office
Given by: Albertson’s
What to bring:
For the Flu Shot: Insurance information, completed immunization consent form
For the COVID Booster: Insurance information, completed immunization consent form
AND your white CDC vaccination card (required)
Appointments: Please make your appointment using this link:
www.mhealthsystem.com/StLukesEpiscopalBR
This link will take you to the appointment scheduler, and also to an online information sheet and consent form.
Helpful Hints: Where it asks you to select from “None” or “COVID” for any other vaccine besides the flu vaccine, click in the white area to the right to continue filling out the form (there isn’t a “continue” button there, and it won’t go farther otherwise!). The form also requires dates of immunizations such as pneumonia, shingles, previous flu vaccines and tetanus, so you’ll need that information before filling out the form.
Who qualifies for the COVID Booster:
Individuals who received the Pfizer series would receive a third dose/booster of Pfizer and those who received Moderna would get a third dose/booster of Moderna.
The following individuals are eligible so long as they received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as the primary series, with the second dose at least 6 months prior:
● Individuals 65 years of age and older;
● Residents of long-term care facilities;
● Individuals
50 through 64 years of age with
underlying medical conditions
● Individuals
18 through 49 years of age with
underlying medical conditions based on individual benefit or risk.
● Underlying medical conditions may include, but are not limited to:
Cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, heart conditions, obesity (BMI>30), smoking
● Risks may include allergic reaction, myocarditis/pericarditis, reactogenicity
● Individuals 18 through 64 years of age who are in an occupational or institutional setting where the burden of COVID-19 infection and risk of transmission are high based on individual benefit or risk.
While settings that fall into this category are not defined at this time, examples might include, but are not limited to: front line health care providers, nursing home staff, workers in prisons and homeless shelters, caregivers and teachers.
As of now, Moderna third dose is only approved for immunocompromised. Anyone who falls into the following category AND received second dose at least 28 days ago:
● Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
● Received an organ transplant and are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
● Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are currently taking medicine to suppress the immune system
● Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
● Advanced or untreated HIV infection
● Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (≥20 mg prednisone or equivalent per day) or other drugs that may
● Other conditions which cause moderate or severe immunosuppression similar to the above conditions.
Other questions?
Will walk-in’s be able to get the vaccine?
Absolutely!!
What if I wasn’t able to do the online consent form?
There will be forms available that Sunday during the vaccine clinic.
Will COVID vaccines be available to those who haven’t gotten one yet?
I’ll check with Albertson’s to verify about that.
Can children receive the flu shot?
Yes, if they are 7 years or older.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank you for helping to keep ALL of us healthier!
Faithfully yours,
Becky Williams, RN, BSN
bwilliams@stlukesbr.org
Director of Health Ministries
Pastoral Care Facilitator
