LA JOLLA VILLAGE FAMILY MEDICAL GROUP
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      • Elena Dembo-Smeaton, M.D.
      • Margaret Gold, M.D.
      • Mariam Camacho, M.D., PhD
      • Jane Hadinger (formerly O'Laughlin), MSN, CFNP, CPNP
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COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Shots: Updated Guidance for Patients November 2023



Dear Valued Patient, 

Our primary care team is a strong advocate for vaccination and was one of the first practices in town to offer the COVID-19 vaccines.  But SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has proved a tricky and resilient adversary, as the recent wave of new cases has shown.  Even though by now, nearly everyone in the US has immunity from having been infected, vaccinated, or both, Covid still accounts for more hospitalizations in the US than flu and RSV combined: 
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​We are hopeful that an entirely new class of COVID-19 vaccines currently in development, built against the more stable parts of the virus and administered through the nose as a spray, will be a game changer.  But until that time, we must contend honestly with the fact that booster shots in the arm are now of somewhat limited value, especially for people under the age of 70.  

Should I get the new COVID-19 booster? 

The effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines has waned significantly since they were first rolled out nearly three years ago.  Unfortunately, the updated boosters no longer provide significant protection against infection or illness.  A booster shot does however still offer some degree of protection against hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19 among those aged 70 and over, and this is the group that we are currently advising to seek out booster shots.  

I want the booster, which one should I get?

There is some evidence that mixing different vaccine formulations (heterologous vaccination) may offer slightly better protection compared to multiple doses of the same vaccine (homologous vaccination).  For that reason, we are advising those of our patients who are seeking booster shots to get Novavax.  The Novavax booster was newly approved for use in the US and, in addition to being different, has some advantages including fewer reported side effects for most people.  Novavax is a more traditional vaccine that uses a subunit protein; it is not an mRNA vaccine. 

To find a pharmacy or office administering Novovax, please go to: 
https://www.vaccines.gov/​

If you have any questions, please feel free to schedule a visit with your primary care provider.  




HOURS:
Monday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday & Wednesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Thursday & Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
​

CLOSED SATURDAY
​CLOSED   SUNDAY
​Please call for our holiday hours.
©2016- 2023 La Jolla Village Family Medical Group    | Disclaimer
LOCATION:
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite C129
La Jolla, CA 92037
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CONTACT
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Phone: 858.450.5900
Fax: 760.531.2366
​ 

After 4pm,  calls are forwarded to an answering service.
IN CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911​
ACCESS MY SCRIPPS PATIENT PORTAL
For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here.
https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov./​
The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Providers >
      • Elena Dembo-Smeaton, M.D.
      • Margaret Gold, M.D.
      • Mariam Camacho, M.D., PhD
      • Jane Hadinger (formerly O'Laughlin), MSN, CFNP, CPNP
  • SERVICES
  • PATIENT INFO
    • FORMS
    • LOCATION
    • HELPFUL RESOURCES
    • CONTACT