Eligible residents of Santa Clara County can now receive the COVID-19 Pfizer booster shot, according to the County’s Public Health department’s announcement in late September. In addition to residents, individuals who work or go to school in Santa Clara County and are eligible can also receive the booster shot at any of the County’s five vaccination sites.
Under Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, individuals age 65 and above, residents of long-term care facilities, and those age 50 and above who have an underlying medical condition(s) are strongly encouraged to get the booster shot. In addition, the CDC has extended eligibility to individuals between the ages of 18 and 49 with an underlying medical condition or increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to occupational or institutional settings. Eligibility is limited to those who received the initial Pfizer vaccine (both doses) at least six months ago.
The County is encouraging those eligible to get their booster shots now, before vaccine eligibility expands to those ages 5-12, which is anticipated in the coming months.
“We anticipate there will be a significant spike in demand when COVID-19 vaccinations become available for the youngest segment of our population,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Santa Clara County’s Director of Public Health. “Now is the time to get a booster.”
Eligible persons can sign up to receive a booster shot at the following locations:
Mountain View Community Center
201 S Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040
Emmanuel Baptist Church
467 N White Rd, San Jose, CA 95127
DePaul Health Center Vaccination Site
18550 DePaul Drive, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
San Martin Vaccination Site
90 W. Highland Ave, San Martin, CA 95046
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Expo Hall
344 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111
Appointments are required for all locations except for DePaul Health Center in Morgan Hill, which has drop-in availability. Booster shots are also being offered at many doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
“The County of Santa Clara continues to follow CDC guidance, and it’s clear that boosters are a valuable tool that people can use to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Dr. Cody stated.
While booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have not yet been authorized, the County reminds residents that initial vaccinations “still provide substantial protection and are working well to prevent severe illness,” and urges those who have not been vaccinated to do so as soon as they can.