COVID-19 Vaccine

Updated April 7, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine information is evolving rapidly. This page provides emerging information and may change rapidly. Please check this page often for updates. To view the entire CDC page with the most up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.

COVID Vaccination Consent Form

Parent/Guardian Consent for Minor Patients seeking a COVID vaccination. Please complete the COVID Vaccination Consent Form and bring it with you to your vaccination appointment for patients under the age of 18. 

Make Your Vaccination Appointment at: My Turn

Vaccination Opportunities in Tulare County

COVID Vaccination Locations

COVID-19 Vaccinations are available through various pharmacies, health care providers, and at mobile vaccination events.  Those interested in scheduling an appointment to get their COVID vaccine these locations can register for an appointment on the statewide COVID Vaccination platform, My Turn at: https://myturn.ca.gov/. For those without internet access can call 1-888-422-4255 to make an appointment.

Children 5-11 Years Old Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccination

Vaccination is very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 5-11 years old and vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 5 years and older. As hospitals in Tulare County continue to be overwhelmed with COVID-19 hospitalizations, protecting more people in our community through vaccination is essential.

Vaccinating all eligible persons in the household is the best way to prevent spread of COVID-19 and help protect the health and well-being of all family members. So far, more than 140,000 children in the United States have lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID-19 and over 65,000 children have been hospitalized with COVID-19 complications. “Long haul” COVID syndrome with lasting symptoms has also been found in both children and adults.

COVID-19 vaccination is still recommended even if you have already had the infection because it is possible to get infected with COVID-19 more than once. Data continues to suggest that the vaccines create stronger, more reliable protection than infection alone and boost protection in people who have had COVID-19 infection before. Persons who have not received the vaccine are 5 times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 and more than 10 times more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than persons who did receive the vaccine. It is important to complete the vaccine series to be protected.

Preventing infection in the home also reduces likelihood of missed days from work and school due to COVID-19. Persons who are fully vaccinated, including children, are not required to quarantine at home after getting exposed to COVID-19 as long as they have no symptoms. Fully vaccinated persons should continue to wear a mask when indoors in public and get tested when needed: 5 days after a known exposure and/or if they have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for children 5-17 years old. COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including routine school shots and the flu vaccine. Vaccines are available at doctor’s offices, local pharmacies, CVS, and Rite-Aid. Visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-5255 for appointments and clinic locations.

For more information, please review Tulare County Public Health FAQs: 20 Questions on COVID-19 Vaccines in Children

COVID Booster Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines continue to be very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Booster vaccines are now recommended for all three COVID-19 vaccines to ensure ongoing protection for high-risk persons. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends all vaccinated adults receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

If you received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna: Adults and children 12+ should get a booster vaccine if their second dose was at least 5 months ago. Immunocompromised adults who received an additional Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna dose are eligible for a booster vaccine 6 months after their third dose.

If you received Johnson & Johnson / Janssen: Adults and children 12+ should get a booster vaccine if their dose was at least 2 months ago, a mRNA vaccine is preferred.

Booster vaccines are recommended for all adults but are especially advised for persons over age 50, adults in long-term care, and persons who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines remain very effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Booster vaccines are being recommended to strengthen the ability to prevent infection (or prevent getting COVID-19 after being exposed) because this has started to decrease over time, and a booster will help ensure ongoing protection.

The booster vaccine may be either the same or different vaccine than the original series, depending on advice from a health care provider, individual preference, and/or vaccine availability. Booster COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

Vaccinating all eligible persons in the household helps protect the health and well-being of all family members. Tulare County Public Health encourages those aged 5 years and older who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 to start their vaccination now and complete their vaccine series to be protected. Persons who have not received the vaccine are 5 times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 and more than 10 times more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than persons who did receive the vaccine. The vaccine is still recommended even if you have already had the infection. It is possible to get infected with COVID-19 more than once, and data continues to suggest that the vaccines create stronger, more reliable protection than infection alone and boost protection in people who have had COVID-19 infection before.

Getting more people in our community vaccinated is the primary way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help reduce the burden on our hospitals. Booster vaccines are available at any clinic or pharmacy where vaccine is available. Vaccine appointments can be made by visiting myturn.ca.gov, calling (833) 422-5255, or booking online with other participating pharmacy locations, including Savemart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Albertsons, Walmart, and Costco.

For more information, please review Tulare County Public Health FAQs: COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

 

Eligibility for Additional COVID-19 Booster Vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have updated COVID-19 booster vaccine advisories with expanded eligibility for higher risk persons. An initial booster vaccine remains strongly recommended for everyone age 12 years and older once eligible. A second booster vaccine of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna is now available for:

• Persons age 50 years and older

• Immunosuppressed persons age 12 years and older

• Persons who received Johnson & Johnson

Talk with your provider if you have questions about your eligibility. Considerations may include having or living with someone who has a high-risk health condition as well as exposure risk factors such as living in a congregate setting, working in healthcare, or upcoming travel.

Read the full guidance on additional COVID-19 Booster Vaccines HERE.  

 

Lost Your COVID Vaccination Card? How to Obtain Your COVID-19 Vaccination Record

When you are needing a new verification of vaccination, here is what you need to know. California Department of Public Health has developed a system to obtain a copy of your vaccination record.

1. Visit: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/

2. A record can also be requested over the phone by calling 833-422-4255.

3. Additional information about correcting a vaccine record and frequently asked questions can be found at: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/faq

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COVID Vaccine Information