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COVID-19 Vaccine Information

California COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Sherman Oaks Hospital continues to follow government guidelines for vaccine administration. We are committed to keeping you updated and working as quickly and equitably as possible to provide more COVID-19 vaccinations as supplies become available. We encourage every member of the community to get the vaccine if able.

Check your eligibility on California’s My Turn site and Make an Appointment

Sherman Oaks Hospital now is offering its community COVID-19 vaccine clinic every Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. We are honored to care for our community when it matters most. My Turn is an easy way to search for available vaccination appointments at many locations in your area.

VERIFY YOUR ELIGIBILITY AT MYTURN.CA.GOV

If you need support using myturn.ca.gov, call 1-877-813-7312, and an agent can help enter your information on the website, subject to availability. You can also check local health departments and other state-approved clinicians.

Clinic Operations:

Every Wednesday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location:

Sherman Oaks Hospital

4929 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Sherman Oaks Hospital recommends that you get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are able.

The COVID-19 vaccine is helping us transition back to normal, but it does not mark the end of the pandemic. The CDC guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining physical distancing, avoiding contact with individuals who have been exposed or are confirmed to have COVID-19, wearing face masks in public, and practicing hand hygiene after vaccination to help slow and stop the spread of COVID-19. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the desired level of herd immunity is to have at least 80-85% of the population vaccinated by the end of May 2021. There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. The FDA has given full authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses, 21 days apart, and is approved for use in individuals 16 years of age and older. The Moderna vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart, and is approved for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Janssen vaccine is a single-dose regimen authorized for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

Accurate vaccine information is critical, and it’s essential to have as much information as possible. The CDC provides up-to-date information on the vaccines being offered in the United States, and its web content is researched, written, and approved by subject matter experts, including physicians, researchers, epidemiologists, and analysts.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

How does an mRNA vaccine work?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2. All viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, have a unique genetic code. Scientists extracted part of the virus’s code, known as messenger RNA (mRNA), which instructs our cells to produce copies of a specific protein component unique to the spikes on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein fragment is what is injected into you. The messenger RNA enters the cell, but does not go into the nucleus of the cell, where your own genetic material is kept. There is no mixing of the mRNA with your genes, and the mRNA itself is destroyed by the cell after the copies of the spike protein are made. The immune system produces antibodies and activates T-cells over the course of several days to fight off what it perceives as an infection. If you are exposed to the virus in the future, your immune system will recognize those spike proteins, and it will rapidly produce antibodies and deploy “memory T-cells” to destroy the virus. (Source: MDHHS How mRNA vaccines work)

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

The U.S. FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which have been determined to be safe and effective based on data from large clinical trials. While vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized for use. The CDC continues to monitor adverse events through safety monitoring systems. (Source: CDC, Ensuring the Safety of Vaccines & Benefits of Getting Vaccinated)

Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. According to the CDC, none of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the U.D. contain the live virus that causes COVID-19.

(Source: CDC, Facts about Vaccination)

Who should not get the vaccine?

You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if you:

Had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of the vaccine or have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredients of the vaccine.
Had an immediate allergic reaction, even if it was not severe, to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Have had an allergic reaction to PEG (polyethylene glycol) or polysorbate. Polysorbate is not in the vaccines, but it is closely related to PEG, which is included.

(Source: CDC, Allergic Reactions)

If you are pregnant, plan to be pregnant, or breastfeeding, please talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated.

If you have already recovered from COVID-19, the CDC does not recommend whether or not to get vaccinated. There is insufficient information available to determine whether or for how long someone is protected from contracting COVID-19 again after recovering from an infection (natural immunity). If you are currently infected with COVID-19, please wait until you have completed your quarantine period and are not experiencing symptoms before getting vaccinated.

If you have questions or concerns on whether to be vaccinated, please talk to your doctor.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The most commonly reported side effects of the vaccines include:

Injection site pain and swelling
Tiredness
Headache
Chills
Fever

If you experience any of these side effects, they are typical signs that your body is building protection and should subside in a few days. The CDC still recommends getting the second shot even if you experienced side effects after the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you otherwise.

Each vaccinated individual should report any side effects immediately via the v-safe health checker platform.

(Source: CDC, After Getting the Vaccine)

What you can do to stay healthy?

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent illness is to do the following:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol hand sanitizers are also effective.
At home, avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Outside your home, put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick (except to get medical care). Keep sick children home from school.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you use a tissue, wash your hands afterward.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
See additional guidance from the CDC or visit your local health department website.