On November 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended use of the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine for persons 5-11 years of age. The announcement followed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s vote to recommend it. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated emergency use authorization of the vaccine to include the expanded age group. Trinity Health is confident in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines with FDA approval. We strongly encourage everyone ages 5 and up to be vaccinated. Our colleagues, families, friends, neighbors and acquaintances look to us for guidance and are influenced by our words and examples we set. Please encourage everyone to get educated about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.

We know that many of our colleagues are anxious to receive a COVID-19 booster to protect themselves and their loved ones from serious illness, which is why we’re excited to announce that beginning Thursday, October 7, the Pfizer booster vaccine will be available for colleagues at Main Campus Urgent Care (1245 E. Herndon Ave.). Appointments are required for the Pfizer booster and MUST be made via MyTurn. Please do not call to schedule. Walk-ins will NOT be accepted. Moderna will continue to be available for dose 1 and dose 2 at the Magnolia and Northwest Urgent Care locations.

Last week, the FDA approved booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Boosters have been approved for persons 65 and older, persons with underlying medical conditions and those who are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure due to occupation, including health care workers. We are currently developing a plan to provide the Pfizer booster for Saint Agnes colleagues and will provide details as soon as we are able. In the meantime, if you are anxious to receive a booster, we suggest finding a vaccine location in Fresno County that offers the Pfizer booster.

On Monday, September 20, Pfizer shared that COVID-19 vaccination is highly effective for children ages 5-11 based on the results of their months-long study. Though it will still take Pfizer time to submit their findings to the FDA to receive approval for use, we are excited to hear such positive progress. We know many parents and grandparents are anxious for their little ones to get vaccinated, but rest assured, there are many other ways you can help keep them safe while we wait for the vaccine’s approval.

There are only a few days left to submit your vaccination proof to remain compliant. To submit your proof, please log into your HR4U portal and complete the digital form. Instructions are available on InTouch. If you have any issues, please contact your manager or email COVIDInfo@samc.com. Vaccination proof must be submitted by Tuesday, September 21.

Recognizing the staffing challenges hospitals are facing due to COVID-19, OSHA has established Crisis Condition guidelines. A Crisis Condition is a period of critical staffing shortages in which safe staffing cannot be maintained to support the hospital’s clinical operations. Per OSHA’s definition, Saint Agnes is currently in a Crisis Condition, which means, under certain conditions, colleagues may return to work if they were exposed to COVID-19 but are asymptomatic. These colleagues will follow a COVID-19 testing protocol to work during this period.