Immunize El Paso Launches Flu Outreach Clinics

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

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

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

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

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”

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 […]

Immunize El Paso Starts Second Covid-19 Booster Vaccine Administration

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

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.

Immunize El Paso Launches City-Wide COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign for Children

El Paso, Texas (Nov 4, 2021):   With the FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year-old children, Immunize El Paso is launching a comprehensive vaccination campaign that will visit nearly 140 schools in the next coming weeks.

“We are excited to bring this collaborative effort to the El Paso community to ensure every child has an opportunity to be protected against COVID-19,” said Dusty Warden, Director of Operations. “This is a huge step towards our return to normalcy,” Warden continued.

IZEP has partnered with El Paso area school districts to provide neighborhood-level vaccination access. The most significant undertaking the non-profit has ever engaged in, they have bolstered staffing and resources to prepare for the immunization drive.

According to the CDC, while COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, it can make children very sick and cause children to be hospitalized. In some situations, complications from infection can lead to death. Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with children without underlying medical conditions. Children infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can also develop severe complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)—a condition where different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

Parents, children, and community members are invited to each scheduled clinic, regardless of enrollment status. Additionally, each of IZEP’s clinics will carry vaccines, available on a walk-in basis Mon-Fri from 8-5, and Saturdays, 9 am to 12 pm. To pre-register or to view the outreach schedule, parents should visit https://go.izep.org/kids. For more information, please visit immunizeelpaso.org or call 915-533-3414.

Immunize El Paso Announces 2021-2022 Flu Campaign

El Paso, Texas (Sep 14, 2021):   Immunize El Paso has begun offering flu shots at each of their three clinics on an appointment and walk-in basis. The non-profit is also working with area schools and businesses to protect anyone desiring vaccination against the flu.

“This is a great opportunity to get protected against the flu early in the season,” said Danny Acosta, Director of Immunize El Paso. “Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the potentially deadly virus.”

The CDC recommends flu vaccines for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women, children, teens, adults, and seniors. IZEP carries unique formulations for patients over 65 and individuals suffering from egg allergies. Flu vaccines are safe to co-administer with COVID-19 vaccines, should anyone choose to receive both. IZEP will be offering both throughout the vaccination campaign.

Registering for a flu shot is a simple, paperless process – anyone can easily schedule their appointment and upload their health insurance documents by visiting immunizeelpaso.org/flu.  For those with difficulties with digital registration, walk-ins are always accepted, and our staff will gladly assist with registration. Patients with mobility restrictions can also participate in our Flu2You program by visiting immunizeelpaso.org/flu2you or by calling 915-539-2868.

For additional questions, patients can call 915-533-3414 or visit immunizeelpaso.org/flu.