Immunize El Paso Responds to Arrival of XBB.1.5

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El Paso is facing a new COVID-19 challenge, Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. One of the aspects of this new variant is that it breaks through antibodies people may have from prior Covid-19 infections, making those antibodies useless.

Early research has shown that the bivalent booster is effective against XBB.1.5. At Immunize El Paso, we are stocked with bivalent boosters and prepared to immunize anyone who comes through our doors.

“Because everything is back to normal, people working, not wearing masks, stores and restaurants open etc. it’s easy to forget that we are still in a pandemic. But the fact is that Covid-19, regardless of what variant it is, is still very dangerous. Coronavirus is still causing hospitalizations and deaths throughout the country. Covid-19 should be taken very seriously.”

Immunize El Paso Director, Daniel Acosta

Covid-19 variants will continue to mutate and researchers are keeping an eye out for the next variant hoping the next one isn’t as bad as the one before.

For more information on the bivalent booster call (915) 533-3414, or for an appointment, visit immunizeelpaso.org

Immunize El Paso Begins Bivalent Vaccination for Children

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Immunize El Paso has received bivalent booster vaccines from Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna. So far, Immunize El Paso has administered 3,874 bivalent vaccines. With experts warning of a COVID-19 winter spike, the bivalent booster will play a key role in the severity of a COVID infection, hospitalizations, and death rates.

“It is understandable that people may not believe they need another vaccine, but this is the most important vaccine yet. There are two strains of the Omicron virus BA.4 and BA.5, which are infecting people today. The new COVID-19 vaccine bivalent is the only vaccine to protect against those strains of the virus.”

-Danny Acosta, Director of Immunize El Paso

While many people have some form of protection from past vaccines and COVID infections, national studies show the new booster could still save thousands of lives. Immunize El Paso has pop-up clinics throughout the borderland to help facilitate the administration of the COVID-19 bivalente booster, along with flu and neumonía vaccines. For locations and times visit:

2022 Flu Clinic Outreach Locations – Immunize El Paso

Immunize El Paso Launches Flu Outreach Clinics

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Immunize El Paso is launching 140 pop-up clinics at borderland schools and community centers. Outreach locations will span all parts of El Paso with varying hours to make vaccination opportunities close and convenient. The new COVID-19 booster and pneumonia vaccines will also be available, along with flu shots.

“We feel our responsibility is to make vaccination as easy as possible for people to get protected. We welcome everyone to come to our outreach clinics running now through the end of October.

-Daniel Acosta, Immunize El Paso

According to the CDC, the best time to vaccinate against the flu are the months of September and November. It’s important to remember that Influenza is a deadly virus, especially for those with underlying health conditions. Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

The list of outreach clinic locations, dates, and times is attached. For more information, visit immunizeelpaso.org/flu or call 915-533-3414.

Immunize El Paso Receives COVID-19 Bivalent Booster

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Immunize El Paso received 1,800 Covid-19 Bivalent Boosters on September 9th. IZEP administered the first vaccination this morning.

“We expect a demand in El Paso for the Bivalent Booster. We have ordered 4-thousand more Bivalent Boosters to meet demand.”
Daniel Acosta, Immunize El Paso

This is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be created specifically for strains of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5. This vaccine was created in the more traditional form, like hepatitis where there is a live agent in the vaccine.

On August 31, 2022, the FDA amended emergency use authorizations of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to authorize updated, bivalent formulations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the use of the Bivalent vaccine.

Immunize El Paso Now has Covid-19 Vaccine Novavax

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A total of 300 Novavax Covid-19 vaccines were received at Immunize El Paso clinics.

Novavax is a Covid-19 vaccine, not a booster. It’s different from the other three available Covid-19 vaccines from makers Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.

Novavax is produced more like traditional vaccines, like Hepatitis B or HPV vaccines.

The FDA has authorized Novavax for ages 12–17.

Register now by clicking here.

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General Information

Manufacturer: Novavax, Inc.

Number of Shots: 2 doses in the primary series, given 3–8 weeks apart.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should also receive 2 doses, given 3 weeks apart (a 3rd primary dose is not currently authorized).

Booster Shot:  Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is not authorized for use as a booster dose.

Type of Vaccine: Protein subunit

How Given: Shot in the muscle of the upper arm

Does NOT Contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex, metals
See full list of ingredients

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Safety Data Summary

  • COVID-19 vaccines have undergone—and continue to undergo—the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Side effects that happen within 7 days of getting vaccinated are common but are mostly mild and only last a few days. Some people have reactions that affect their ability to do daily activities.
  • Side effects throughout the body (such as fever, chills, tiredness, and headache) are more common after the second dose of the vaccine.
  • Severe allergic reactions to vaccines are rare but can happen. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in people who received Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn more about vaccine safety monitoring after a vaccine is authorized or approved for use.

Thousands More COVID-19 Immunizations Administered

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In July, Immunize El Paso administered 4,122 Covid Immunizations compared to June (2,240) and May (1,512). The reasoning for the growth in COVID-19 vaccinations can be explained by several factors.

One aspect of the jump in immunizations was children getting their school vaccines and parents opting to include the COVID-19 vaccine as well. El Paso also saw a jump in Covid cases and an increase in the CDC’s level of community spread, plus; immunize El Paso ran the “Long Covid” campaign to encourage Covid vaccination and boosters among people 50 years plus.

“We are encouraged to see this significant increase in the administration of Covid immunizations in El Paso. That means more people are protected against Covid or more people experienced much less severe symptoms during a Covid infection.”

-Immunize El Paso Director Daniel Acosta

Immunize El Paso has administered 117,071 Covid immunizations since 2022. Immunize El Paso is a non-profit organization focused on vaccinating adults and children alike with low-cost vaccines. You can schedule your COVID-19 vaccine by clicking here. 

IZEP Now Offers QuantiFERON TB Testing

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Many schools, employers, and other institutions are now asking for a QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test (QFT+ or QFT-Plus) tuberculosis screening, as opposed to the TB skin test. Immunize El Paso now offers the QuantiFERON TB Gold test at each clinic location.

QuantiFERON TB Gold

For many years, the best way to determine if someone may have an active tuberculosis infection was to use a skin test. The tuberculin skin test [TST] is implanted just under the skin and then sits for a predetermined amount of time. The reaction to the TST is then judged by the care provider to determine if the result is positive, negative, or inconclusive. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood test takes some of the guesswork out of the tuberculosis screening process.

What Are the Advantages of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test?

This blood test can measure active and latent TB infections in adult patients. Only one visit is required for this blood test instead of multiple visits with the TST, which saves everyone time and money.

  • Improved specificity. Instead of needing to visually judge a skin test, there is a set of baseline markers that test results can be compared against universally to determine if a TB infection is present.
  • It cannot be boosted. The TST will eventually become an inaccurate measurement of a TB infection because of what is known as the “booster” effect. After several skin tests, it is common for false positives to be read. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood test eliminates this effect completely.
  • It is accurate. Although the accuracy of this blood test is often better than the TST, it is not appropriate for some individuals. Be sure to speak with your doctor about this TB test and if it could be right for you.
  • Learn more by visiting: https://www.quantiferon.com/us/products/quantiferon-tb-gold-plus-us/patient-resources/

Who Should Not Take the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test?

Besides children, there are certain population groups that are not considered viable candidates for taking this blood test. Anyone who has an altered immune function fits into this category.

Women who are pregnant are not considered candidates for this blood test.

How to get tested

You can visit each clinic at DOWNTOWN: 513 W. San Antonio, Ste B, El Paso, TX  79901; CENTRAL: 6292 Trowbridge, El Paso, TX  79905, or EASTSIDE: 1400 George Dieter, Ste 225, El Paso, TX  79936. For more information call 915-533-3414. You can make an appointment by visiting: APPOINTMENTS.

Immunize El Paso Promotes “National Infant Immunization Week”

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As part of National Infant Immunization Week, Immunize El Paso will administer free immunizations for children up to 12 months for the week of April 24th-30th. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a yearly observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). This year, in particular, it’s critical […]

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Immunize El Paso Starts Second Covid-19 Booster Vaccine Administration

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Today the Food and Drug Administration released Covid-19 provider guidelines for the second booster vaccination. At Immunize El Paso we are now administering the second Covid-19 booster shot. There are specific clinical recommendations that Immunize El Paso would like to address for the community.

“Immunize El Paso has an ample supply of Covid-19 vaccines for the second booster shot. Our staff is ready and prepared to administer the second dose. We welcome our community to reach out to us and schedule an appointment or come in as a walk-in to our clinics.”  Immunize El Paso Director, Danny Acosta

Tuesday a second booster dose of either the Pfizer or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were approved for individuals 50 years and older and certain immunocompromised individuals. Register online for your booster dose at www.immunizeelpaso.org/covid19.

IZEP to Continue COVID-19 Vaccinations Despite Lack of Federal Funding
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Federal funding for COVID-19 vaccinations will disappear April 5th. The HRSA Covid-19 Uninsured Program will no longer pay federal dollars for Covid-19 vaccinations. Despite the absence of funds, ”Immunize El Paso” is pledging to continue serving those in need, free of charge.

“While El Paso is trending toward lower Covid-19 cases, we will not turn away patients seeking vaccinations because they do not have health insurance. “Immunize El Paso” will continue to serve our community to ensure we defeat the pandemic.”  Danny Acosta, Immunize El Paso Director

After April 5th, patients will not see any difference in their patient encounter at Immunize El Paso. Staff members will continue to gather health insurance information for those who have health insurance. For those without insurance, Immunize El Paso, will absorb the costs of the vaccinations.

It is important that El Pasoans continue their coronavirus vaccination series of two initial doses, patients with certain medical conditions are encouraged to receive booster doses. Adults and children 5 years of age and older are eligible for Covid-19 vaccines. These are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis, Mon-Fri from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, please visit immunizeelpaso.org or call 915-533-3414.