FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Monica Sciuto (831) 622-2756
Communication and Marketing: (831) 625-4505
MONTEREY, Calif. — Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is offering two COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the public. The clinics, located at Embassy Suites in Seaside, will have the capacity to vaccinate more than 650 community members per day. The clinics will have the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, including Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine. The vaccine clinic is open to those ages 5 and older who want a first or second dose, plus the additional dose for the immunocompromised and booster doses for those who are eligible. The event will be festive for attendees including holiday treats, music, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa.
When: First clinic, Tuesday, December 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. by appointment only
Where: Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon del Rey, Seaside
What: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available
Pfizer
Ages 5-15: first and second doses
Ages 16+: first, second, and booster doses; additional doses available for immunocompromised 12 years and older
Moderna
Ages 18+: first, second, and booster doses; additional doses available for immunocompromised
For those getting their first dose, a second-dose clinic will be offered on Monday, January 17; appointments can be scheduled at the December 21 clinic. The January 17 clinic will also be open to members of the public on the Montage Health website after December 21. Appointments are required at www.montagehealth.org/vaccine. No walk-ins. The appointments will be first come, first served. Attendees will need to bring a photo ID, insurance card, and a record of their past COVID-19 vaccination (should it apply). There is no charge to the patient for vaccination, including those without health insurance.
With the recent FDA authorization of Pfizer’s vaccine for booster doses for those ages 16 and 17 and its pediatric product for those ages 5-11, and with the Omicron variant detected in California, the demand for vaccines has increased. Montage Health is hoping to assist with that demand during the holiday week when families with children may be off work or school and can come in to get their initial or booster vaccines. The vaccine has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization with the Delta variant of COVID-19 and recent studies show that all vaccines can also help against the spread and severe illness from the Omicron variant, especially if those who are already vaccinated get the booster shot when eligible. Montage Health has a page dedicated to information about the COVD-19 vaccine at www.montagehealth.org/vaccine.
“Many more of us are gathering with loved ones this time of year, and the weather means more time indoors, so the risk of contracting COVID-19 is increasing. We hope that this convenient and festive clinic event will encourage members of our community of all ages to become fully vaccinated,” says Cynthia Peck, VP of Montage Health and Community Hospital, who is leading the operations of the vaccination clinics. “As we head into a new year, we encourage all community members to give themselves and those they love the gift of protection from the most serious effects of this virus.”
Dr. Martha Blum, medical director of infection prevention at Community Hospital, stresses the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. “Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best thing you can do to fight this pandemic and reduce your chances of severe illness and hospitalization,” says Blum. “We encourage everyone to continue safe practices such as wearing your mask when indoors around others from outside your household, social distancing, washing your hands often, testing for COVID-19 if exposed or symptomatic, staying home when you are sick, and gathering outside whenever possible, especially if you are unvaccinated.”
To schedule an appointment, and for more information on the vaccine clinics, questions and answers about the vaccine, who is eligible for the vaccines, and more, visit www.montagehealth.org/vaccine.
###
About Montage Health
Montage Health is the nonprofit parent company of a family of organizations dedicated to improving lives by delivering exceptional care and inspiring the pursuit of optimal health. Through its subsidiaries and its partnerships with doctors and other clinicians, healthcare and community organizations, and, most importantly community members, Montage Health is dedicated to care that is coordinated across all care settings to meet each person’s goals and needs. Montage Health’s family of companies includes Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Montage Medical Group, MoGo Urgent Care, Aspire Health, Montage Health Foundation, and Montage Wellness Center. For more information, visit www.montagehealth.org.
