COVID-19 Response

0. 0. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.

      In the United States, there are currently 2 FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).* The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will also review vaccines before they become available in California. The report on the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is available here.

    Facts about COVID-19 vaccines:

   What to Expect
   How the Vaccine Works
   How the vaccine works - video (Journal of the American Medical Association)

Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

This web page explains how the body fights infection and how COVID-19 vaccines protect people by producing immunity. It also describes the different types of COVID-19 vaccines that currently are available or are undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States.

Understanding COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

This web page provides information about mRNA vaccines generally and about COVID-19 vaccines that use this new technology specifically.

Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines

This web page provides information about viral vector vaccines generally and about COVID-19 vaccines that use this new technology specifically.

When there is a limited supply, some groups are recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccine first.

Experts are working on how to distribute these limited vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) gave input to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which makes recommendations to the CDC. The ACIP's proposed phased allocation plan is summarized below. Please note the proposed phased allocation plan could be altered at any time due to changes in vaccine supply, ACIP guidance, and/or CDPH recommendations.

The California Department of Public Health has convened a Drafting Guidelines Workgroup which is leveraging national prioritization frameworks and reviewing data regarding occupational exposure and COVID risk to prioritize sectors across phases and tiered population groups. Counties will follow these guidelines in administering vaccines. However, given the number of people falling into the various tiers in a specific county, the uptake of those in the priority groups getting vaccinated, and the logistics and timeline for use of the vaccine so that no doses go to waste, counties may be in different tiers in administering vaccine to their population.

Click here for the proposed state and national allocation plan which may be customized by CDPH in the coming days and weeks.

How Do I Get a Vaccine?

CDC makes recommendations for who should get the vaccine first, then each state makes its own plan.

Getting Ready for Your COVID-19 Vaccine

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html

0. COVID Testing Location in Seaside

   A State supported COVID-19  testing site is open and operating at Seaside High School.

   The testing site is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  This site accepts both appointments and walk ins. However, the best way to access testing services at this and any LHI/Optum testing site is to make an appointment at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 1-888-634-1123.

   Walk-ins are welcomed daily between 4 to 7 pm but the number of walk-ins that can be served is limited by the number of tests available per day which is why appointments are encouraged.

   For more testing sites visit www.mtyhd.org/covidtesting

   Other Testing in Monterey County

   Testing is available at various locations throughout Monterey County. There are four State supported testing sites, once each in Salinas, Seaside, Castroville, and Soledad. Some clinics and pharmacies offer testing, and you can check with your healthcare provider to ask if they offer testing. Monterey County Health Department will be offering pop up testing sites throughout the county, check the calendar for places, dates and times.

   Who should be tested?

   • ●  People with and without symptoms of COVID-19.

   • ●  People who have had close contact with someone who is sick or has tested

     positive for COVID-19.

   ○ Unless you have symptoms, wait at least 5 days after being exposed for

   more accurate test results.
   ● Health care workers, first responders, caretakers to high risk individuals (e.g., the

   elderly), and other essential workers who have frequent interactions with the public.