COVID-19 Vaccine

Update for May 1, 2023:
In the last week, COVID vaccine recommendations and guidelines have recently changed. Monovalent COVID vaccines are no longer authorized for use. We are currently waiting for our shipment of COVID vaccines to arrive. 

At this time, we do not have any COVID vaccines in stock except for the bivalent COVID vaccine specifically for patients who are:
  • Under 5 years old AND have completed the initial 2 dose Moderna monovalent COVID-19 vaccine AND
  • Would like to get the Moderna bivalent booster
  • This can be given 2 months after Dose #2 monovalent vaccine OR 3 months after being COVID positive

We ask for your understanding as we have no control over when we will get our next shipment of COVID vaccines. Please continue to check our website for any updates. In the meantime, we have closed the COVID Solv Clinic until Mid May. We will update it as soon as we receive our orders.

East Bay Pediatrics encourages all eligible people to get the vaccine for COVID-19. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, please visit the CDC webpage.

COVID Vaccines currently available at East Bay Pediatrics:
Age 6mo-5 years: Moderna primary series (2 doses 4-8 weeks apart)
Age 5-11 years: Pfizer primary series (2 doses 3-8 weeks apart)
Age 5-11 years: Pfizer Bivalent booster (at least 2 months after last COVID shot, at least 3 months after last COVID illness)
Age 12+: Pfizer primary series (2 doses 3-8 weeks apart)
Age 12+: Pfizer Bivalent booster (at least 2 months after last COVID shot, at least 3 months after last COVID illness)

Side effects of the COVID vaccine are similar to the side effects of other vaccines. The most common reaction is a sore arm. Some people may have headache, fever, chills, fatigue and body aches. These effects usually start within 24 hours of getting the vaccine and may last 1-5 days. Please call if you have fever for 5 days, chest pain, difficulty breathing or other significant symptoms after receiving the vaccine. 
​

Which COVID-19 vaccine should I get?

If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to take whatever vaccine is available to you. All  vaccines currently available protect against severe disease requiring hospitalization and ICU level care. ​

Getting COVID-19 Vaccine for your child

COVID vaccines are available both at East Bay Pediatrics and at your local pharmacy. Please ask for a COVID vaccine at your scheduled appointment. If you do not have an upcoming appointment, sign up for a COVID vaccine using this link: 
A few pointers for signing up online: 
  • This system is for both flu shots and COVID shots. Wednesday afteroons and all day Friday are for FLU SHOTS ONLY.
  • Appointments are available up to 2 weeks in advance. If there are no more appointments, please check again soon. Thank you for your patience!
  • Please cancel your appointment in Solv if you can no longer come at your designated time. Missed appointments may incur a fee.
  • Please sign up the YOUNGEST child for one slot and add any siblings using the questionnaire on the site.
  • Under Reason for Visit, please choose Flu Shot from the drop down menu.
  • It is NOT necessary to create an account.
  • If you get stuck, you can skip any section but you may be asked to go back. In order to maintain patient privacy, the system does not save any answers. You will be asked to complete all paperwork before your child can be vaccinated. 
  • Please come directly into the office to check in at your appointment time.
  • If you encounter any problems, please call the office during business hours at (925) 438-1100​
Due to COVID-19, we are no longer offering flu drop-in at either of our offices. Please do not walk in.
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COVID-19: Additional Information

How East Bay Pediatrics is keeping you and your child safe during office visit
Here are some of the changes that we have made to the practice for both your safety and your convenience:
  • Keeping the office clean
    • ​Each exam room and all doctor supplies are cleaned thoroughly after each patient encounter.
    • Waiting areas are cleaned regularly.
    • Contactless check-in option is available with online co-pays available through our website.
    • Doctors and staff are all masked. Face shields are worn for close contact during sick visits.
    • Sneeze shields separate front desk staff from patients.
  • Well and sick visits​
  • Virtual options for patients available
    • Telemedicine visits, either by video or phone, are offered whenever possible.
    • Appointment requests are available by patient portal.
    • Contactless check-in option is available with online co-pays available through our website.
  • Screening everyone who comes in
    • Temperatures are taken on all patients who come into the office.
    • Families, staff and doctors are screened for COVID symptoms and exposure.
    • All of our physicians and almost all of our staff have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 


​Should my child come in for a visit?
Routine Well Visits: 
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages maintaining routine childhood visits to ensure that children are up to date with routine childhood immunizations and to address various childhood issues related to growth and development. East Bay Pediatrics agrees with this recommendation and strongly recommends catching up on any missed well visits at this time. 

Dr. Christina Vo gave an interview to our medical group Brown & Toland. View her thoughts on Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic here: 
Dr. Christina Vo: Navigating Your Child's Physical and Mental Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Brown & Toland

Sick Visits
If you have a concern about your child regarding an illness or injury, do not delay seeking care due to concerns about COVID-19. Delayed care could result in a more significant health problem. As described above, East Bay Pediatrics has made in-person visits safe for children. We also offer telemedicine visits when appropriate.
COVID Test informatioN
East Bay Pediatrics primarily runs a molecular test for COVID-19. This is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) which has similar sensitivity and specifity to PCR and done in only 15 minutes. 

In some cases, we will run a rapid antigen test, based on the clinical picture. 
What should I do if my child needs a COVID test
If your child has symptoms of a cold and is not in any respiratory distress but your child needs a COVID-19 test in order to return to school or childcare, there are many testing options.  
  • Please check with your child's school or childcare to see if they require a specific kind of test - PCR, NAAT, or Antigen test - before scheduling an appointment with a testing center.  
  • Your child may be able to be tested here at East Bay Pediatrics (see below)
  • Other options for testing include your local school district, your public health department, an urgent care or specific COVID-19 testing center (see details below)
  • If your child is in distress, please go to the emergency room or call us. 

If your child needs a COVID-19 test for an extracurricular activity, such as a sporting event, or for travel, the above testing options are available or you may be able to test your child at home with an over-the-counter rapid antigen test.  The at home rapid antigen tests are quite reliable and convenient, so it's worth checking to see if that is an allowable testing option for your child's particular activity.

Where else can I get testing for COVID-19? 
Please check your county public health department website for other options for COVID-19 testing.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland offers drive through PCR testing. This test needs to be ordered by one of our physicians. Please call to schedule an appointment. 
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
Early reports indicate that the COVID-19 vaccine (any of the versions currently available) is safe for nursing mothers. There is also early evidence showing that some protective antibodies may cross from mom to baby when nursing. If you are pregnant, please contact your OB for the latest on vaccine safety. ​
RETURN TO SCHOOL GUIDANCE
The American Academy of Pediatrics has posted guidelines for return to school. Pediatricians encourage return to school for the mental health and well-being of children and to help minimize the gap in learning caused by distance learning. Schools have a difficult job to try to adjust to the constantly changing information about COVID-19 and the safety of re-opening schools. Each individual family may also have specific situations which increase the difficulties of returning to school such as high risk medical problem in the child or a family member, difficulty transporting students to partial days at school, concern regarding the child’s ability to wear a mask, or other concerns. If you have questions about returning to school, please contact us.