Getting the COVID19 Booster Shot
By Leezel Tanglao
Tayo Project Director
October 30, 2021
After the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention expanded the eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots on October 21, 2021, I took my family to get their shots this weekend.
While the COVID-19 vaccine is now much more readily available than it was in the winter, when I took my mom and aunts to get their first and second round Moderna shots, the process of finding a place was only slightly better.
While the CDC's has signed off on mixing and matching vaccines, my family and I wanted to stick to Moderna for our booster shots, which was half the dose of a full shot.
So the search began for Moderna shots in my immediate area.
Most places near me carried Pfizer with an appointment. As for Moderna, most appointments where already taken for the day.
While finding a vaccine was much easier, it still was not accessible for seniors who were not tech savvy or did not have a computer.
Similar to the winter, I looked for appointments for my mom and aunts and most were for next week for Moderna.
Related: COVID19 Vaccinations in Los Angeles County: Making the shot - Part 2
So I switched to searching for walk in locations so that they could get their shots today without an appointment.
The site that was helpful was California's Department of Public Health site, MyTurn.
I was able to find a pharmacy that had Moderna and welcomed walk ins.
So we got into the car headed over right before they closed and all three - my mom and two aunts who are in their 80s and 90s are now boosted.
I was also able to get my booster as well at a different pharmacy today -- so we're family that's now fully vaxxed and boosted in the fight against COVID-19.
So far so good in terms of the side effects. My mom and aunts are doing well and feeling nothing while I've been feeling the chills, which is one of the expected side effects.
At the clinics we visited today, I was happy to see several folks getting their vaccinations, especially those getting their first shots - which goes to show you that it's not too late to do your part.
All in all, whether it's your first or your booster shot, by getting vaccinated, you're doing your part to keep each other safe and everyone you encounter.