Preventative COVID-19 Care: Incentivized Vaccines Continue in Porterville

SVMC-Imperial Ambulance and the City of Porterville continue to focus on improving the health outcomes of local community members. To help prevent hospitalizations related to COVID-19 and at the same time help the local economy, the City of Porterville will once again give $100 Gift Cards to local Porterville businesses with the use of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act at this week's Vaccine Roundup. This is the 8th Vaccine Roundup since August of 2021, with more than 12,000 incentivized vaccines to date. Community interest remains high in this partnered vaccination outreach, with more than 3,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (including boosters) administered at the first Vaccine Roundup of the year.

Community members interested in receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can do so weekly from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursdays – Saturdays, at the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance Community Vaccination Clinic located at 385 Pearson Dr. in Porterville, California. This Vaccine Roundup will occur at the vaccination clinic on January 27, 28, 29, 2022. $100 gift cards will be available to individuals 12 and older receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Currently, interest in COVID-19 testing has increased. Yet, it is the COVID-19 vaccine that can safeguard our community the most to prevent COVID-19-related hospitalizations. "While COVID-19 testing is useful, it's a snapshot in time. The real prevention is up-to-date vaccines or boosters so that you have a strong defense against the Omicron variant," says SVMC Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE.

Vaccine Safety

As individuals and families consider whether to receive the vaccine or a booster, it can help to know that there have been no adverse side effects to date with more than 500 pediatric vaccines already administered at the vaccine clinic.

"Having up-to-date vaccinations means that individuals have received all available vaccinations, including booster doses," says Imperial Ambulance Operations Manager Sean Roberts. "And it can mean the difference between dealing with COVID-19 at home or being hospitalized."

The Vaccine Roundup event continues to be a safe place for family members to receive their vaccines. Pediatric vaccines for ages 5-11 are also provided at the Vaccine Roundup event, but the $100 Gift Card incentives are available for ages 12 and up.

Booster Eligibility

Information from the Centers for Disease Control is available regarding booster guidelines. Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

Vaccine Roundup Event Info Summary

Community members receiving a dose of the Pfizer vaccine (1st, 2nd or Booster Doses) or a Moderna Booster on Thursday – Saturday, January 27, 28, 29, 2022 will receive a $100 Gift Card to a local Porterville business!

Gift Cards are provided by the City of Porterville with federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

• WHO: Community members 12 years and older eligible to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination clinic.

• WHAT: $100 Gift Card to a local Porterville business to individuals 12 years of age and older receiving the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (1st, 2nd or Booster Dose (3rd) or to those receiving a Moderna Booster Dose. Incentive does not apply to children 5-11 years of age.

• WHERE: Community Vaccination Clinic, 385 Pearson Dr., Porterville, CA 93257.

• WHEN: Thursday, Friday, Saturday (January 27, 28, 29, 2022)

• TIME: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. LAST WALK-IN TIME: 5 p.m. Please arrive before this time.

Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged. Please pre-register by visiting myturn.ca.gov.

This is a vaccination effort in partnership between the City of Porterville, Sierra View Medical Center, Imperial Ambulance and Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency.

For more info about the SVMC-Imperial Ambulance Community Vaccination Clinic, please visit www.sierra-view.com/COVIDvaccines. For Spanish, please visit www.sierra-view.com/vacunasCOVID. For toolkit, please visit www.sierra-view.com/VaccineRoundup.