NEW Eligibility Criteria Starting March 15

In another last minute change, San Diego County has expanded the criteria for eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15.  In addition to the more stringent criteria listed in my last blog entry, they have now added new criteria listed below.  The biggest increase would be for people with hypertension and those who are overweight.  If you're not sure if you fall into the overweight category, you can calculate your body mass index online with a BMI calculator or log into your portal to see what your last documented BMI was.  In addition, YOU DO NOT NEED A NOTE FROM OUR OFFICE.  When you show up for your vaccine appointment, you simply have to confirm that you have one of the eligible conditions. To make an appointment, click on the COVID-19 tab above to see the different ways to access appointments, specifically through the county at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com or at individual pharmacies.

•  Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
•  Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
•  Cystic fibrosis
•  Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
•  Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
•  Liver disease
•  Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
•  Obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2, but < 40 kg/m2)
•  Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
•  Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
•  Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Side effects:  We encourage everyone to report any side effects to the vaccines through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.  If you want to help out even more, you can also sign up for V-safe on your cell phone. This phone-based app will check in with you daily after you receive your vaccine to see how you’re feeling, and it helps us document the various possible side effects the vaccines may have.  Just go to vsafe.cdc.gov on your smart phone and follow the prompts.  One important thing to know is that NONE of our patients have had any long term side effects from the vaccine.  You may not feel well for a few days after getting the vaccine because you are tricking your body into thinking it is fighting the real COVID-19 virus, but because there is no virus there, you quickly return to normal.
 
If you’ve already had COVID-19:  Many people have already been diagnosed with COVID-19 this past year.  Although there are no official recommendations, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 3 months, I would recommend waiting to get your COVID-19 vaccine.  Having had the infection, you will most likely have at least 90 days of protection from getting re-infected, and getting the vaccine soon after having had the infection may give you more side effects from it.