California Plans To Immediately Offer Pfizer COVID Boosters To Eligible Residents

San Diego CA

23 September, 2021

6:23 PM

Description

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego September 23, 2021 Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that California will immediately begin administering Pfizer vaccine booster shots to residents 65 and older as well as high-risk individuals. The announcement followed the Food and Drug Administration's decision on Wednesday to authorize the booster shots. "We fully support our federal partners' determination to provide boosters, and California has built the necessary infrastructure to mobilize such vaccine distribution — all to help protect the health and well-being of Californians," Newsom said. California health officials released a COVID-19 Vaccine Action Plan that outlines how the state will be able to immediately begin administering the booster doses. The plan also covers the administration of vaccines to Californians under age 12, which is anticipated as early as next month. But officials stressed that unvaccinated individuals would continue to be a priority. "Along with boosting protection to those that need it and proactively reaching out to newly eligible individuals, the state will continue to focus much of our vaccination efforts on reaching the unvaccinated and encouraging them to get vaccinated to keep themselves and their community safe," said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. Residents can schedule appointments via the state's MyTurn.ca.gov. The site will also send text-message alerts to Californians when eligible for a booster to ensure people know their options. Officials and the state has sufficient supply of the Pfizer vaccine and is ready to get doses to the providers that need them. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.