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Home / Wellness Services / COVID-19 & Flu Updates

COVID-19 and Flu Updates

How we’re keeping you safe

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TrueCare is working hard to provide the safest care to all of our patients, offering phone visits and in-person care. If you feel sick, please call before you come in.

On May 13, 2021 the CDC released updated guidelines around masks or face coverings for fully vaccinated people. However, these guidelines to not apply to healthcare settings. When visiting any TrueCare location you must continue to wear a mask or a face covering.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Update:

We are offering the COVID-19 vaccines to both TrueCare patients and non-TrueCare patients, ages 12 and older. If you are interested in receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, please contact us at (760) 736-6767 to schedule your appointment.

On August 23, 2021 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for individuals 16 and older. The vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age.

“Vaccination is the best tool we have to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. Full approval from the FDA for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine serves to further affirm the safety and efficacy of the vaccine,” said Dr. Marie Russell, TrueCare’s Chief Medical Officer. “With the current surge of the delta variant which has resulted in increasing rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, the full approval from the FDA of the Pfizer vaccine will hopefully help to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so.”

Our three TrueCare COVID-19 vaccine clinics will continue providing COVID-19 vaccines to care for and protect our patients through this pandemic. We will continue to provide updates as we receive more information, you can also follow us on social media for news and updates.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Actualización de la Vacuna COVID-19:

Estamos ofreciendo vacuna contra el COVID-19 a pacientes de TrueCare y al público general a partir de los 12 años de edad. Si está interesado en recibir su vacuna COVID-19, comuníquese con nosotros al (760) 736-6767 para programar su cita.

El 23 de agosto de 2021, la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE. UU. aprobó por completo la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 para personas mayores de 16 años. La vacuna sigue estando disponible bajo autorización de uso de emergencia (EUA- por sus siglas en ingles), incluso para personas de 12 a 15 años de edad.

“La vacunación es la mejor herramienta que tenemos para protegernos a nosotros mismos, a nuestras familias y nuestras comunidades. La aprobación total de la FDA para la vacuna Pfizer / BioNTech sirve para afirmar aún más la seguridad y eficacia de la vacuna ”, dijo la Dra. Marie Russell, directora médica de TrueCare. “Con el aumento actual de la variante delta que ha dado lugar a tasas crecientes de casos, hospitalizaciones y muertes, se espera que la aprobación total de la FDA de la vacuna Pfizer ayude a alentar a quienes aún no han sido vacunados a hacerlo”.

Nuestras tres clínicas de TrueCare que están administrando la vacuna COVID-19 continuarán proporcionando vacunas para continuar el cuidando y la protección de nuestros pacientes durante esta pandemia. Continuaremos brindando actualizaciones a medida que recibamos más información, asegúrese de seguirnos en las redes sociales para obtener novedades y actualizaciones.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacuna COVID-19
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TrueCare Locations and Services Updates:
COVID-19 testing locations
COVID-19 vaccine locations
Flu shot locations
For up-to-date information on the coronavirus, please visit:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency: If you have general questions about coronavirus (COVID-19), call 2-1-1 to speak to a representative.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs:
We realize you may have questions about the safety, effectiveness, or potential side-effects from getting a COVID-19 Vaccine, so we have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions.
Safety:
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines, have been rigorously tested for safety before being authorized for use in the United States. The technology used to create two of the vaccines is new, but not unknown; it has been studied for more than a decade. The mRNA and Viral Vector vaccines does not use live virus and does not change or interact with the recipient’s DNA in any way. The vaccine cannot give the recipient the COVID-19 disease. We encourage people that have concerns to discuss with their primary care provider.

The COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to:

  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, and lactating women
  • Those who have already contracted COVID-19
  • Those with underlying medical conditions, including people who are immunosuppressed
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use or in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. However, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick.
What symptoms will I get after I receive the vaccine?

Side effects of the COVID vaccine can include:

  • Pain/swelling at the injection site
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Tiredness

In most cases, discomfort from fever or pain is normal. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider if the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours or if your side effects are worrying you and do not seem to be going away after a few days.

Vaccine Administration:
How often will I need to get this vaccine?
Researchers and scientists are still learning about the frequency of vaccines needed, if it is once a year or more infrequently. As they continue to learn more, they will share findings and make recommendations for highest efficacy.
Can I mix brands of vaccines?
No, you cannot mix brands of vaccines. Your second dose should be from the same manufacturer as your first dose.
Do I need to comeback for the second dose?
Yes. It is crucial that you receive both the first and second dose of the vaccine to be effective. Get the second shot even if you have side effects after the first one, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.
Effectiveness:
How effective is the vaccine? If we’re not sure, why would I get it?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID-19.
Are the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines all effective?
Studies show the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were over 94% effective and The J&J/Janssen vaccine 66.3% effective at preventing laboratory confirmed COVID-19 illness.
Will the COVID vaccine cover me with the new strains?
Information about the characteristics of the new strain is rapidly emerging. Scientists are working to learn more about how easily they might spread, whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether current vaccines will protect people against them. At this time, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death.
After I get the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask?
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. When visiting TrueCare healthcenters, everyone is still required to wear a mask.
Once I’ve received the vaccine, is it safe for me to resume seeing my family and friends?

You are fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two weeks after your single dose of J&J/Janssen vaccine. It is possible you could still get COVID-19 soon after vaccination because your body has not had enough time to build full protection. Keep taking precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

Long Term Effects:
Does the COVID-19 vaccine change my DNA?
No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease.

At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. That immune response and making antibodies is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

Why Get the Vaccine:
I already had COVID-19, why should I still get the vaccine?
Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Isn’t it better to have your natural immune system respond versus a vaccine?
The protection someone gains from having an infection (called “natural immunity”) varies depending on the disease, and varies from person to person. Because this virus is new, we don’t know how long natural immunity might last. Current evidence suggests that getting the virus again (reinfection) is uncommon in the 90 days after the first infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. We won’t know how long immunity lasts after vaccination until we have more data on how well COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Ultimately, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.
Vaccine Logistics:
What does the vaccine cost?
Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving someone the shot. If you are a TrueCare patient and get the vaccine at one of our locations when it is available, you will not be charged for the vaccine.
How will I know when I am able to get the vaccine?
We are now offering the COVID-19 vaccines to both TrueCare patients and non-TrueCare patients, ages 12 and older. If you are interested in receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, please contact us at (760) 736-6767 to schedule your appointment.
Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people with underlying health problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and obesity. People with these conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider if you have pre-existing health conditions or specific health concerns regarding you getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
I was vaccinated outside of the United States, do I need to get vaccinated again in the US?
People who were vaccinated outside the United States with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and have received all the recommended doses do not need any additional doses. People who received the first dose of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine that requires two doses do not need to restart the vaccine series in the United States but should receive the second dose as close to the recommended time as possible.

Some people may have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is not currently authorized in the United States. In some circumstances people who received a COVID-19 vaccine not currently authorized in the United States may be offered revaccination with an FDA-authorized vaccine.

Why should I get vaccinated?
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. It all starts with you. Building defenses against COVID-19 in our community is a team effort. You are a key part of that defense. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection in addition to measures like mask-wearing, social distancing, and diligent hand-washing.

New Patients Welcome! Call or text (760) 736-6767 today to schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 Vaccine.

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Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Center Near Me

COVID-19 vaccines available at the following locations:
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To learn more about coronavirus,
please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency.
cdc.gov
sandiegocounty.gov

Find a COVID-19 Testing Health Center Near Me

COVID-19 testing can be found at the following TrueCare health center locations:
Other COVID-19 testing locations in San Diego County:
Find a testing location
For COVID-19 testing locations in Riverside County please call Riverside County Public Health at (800) 945-6171.
Home isolation instructions:
The following instructions are for people who have or might have Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families or caregivers.
Instructions (pdf)

Virtual Health

In order to give you the care you need from the comfort of your home, we are offering virtual visits.

Connect directly with providers via video or phone call. No insurance necessary and new patients welcome. Contact us at (760) 736-6767 to see if a virtual visit with one of our providers may be right for you.

Find out more:

Virtual health
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TrueCare Flu Shot Locations Near Me

Flu shots available by appointment at the following locations:
We also offer a walk-in flu shot clinic:
https://truecare.org/wellness-services/ https://truecare.org/wellness-services/behavioral-health/ https://truecare.org/wellness-services/chiropractor/
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Doris Yung, MD
Medical Doctor
“In treating my patients, the most important aspect is to have respect and compassion.”
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