COMMUNITY OPINION: Safe and effective vaccines available

This community opinion was contributed by resident Mary Zanger. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors.

What better place to locate a vaccine clinic for ages 12 and up than at a middle school? Kudos to San Benito County Health Department for scheduling this COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Rancho San Justo Middle School on Rancho Drive.

[I don’t think*] parents need to be concerned about receiving the Moderna vaccine while their kids will be receiving Pfizer. [It is my understanding that*] the difference is only one of a time element. Because of the enormous data now available, Moderna will soon also be approved for kids 12 and up.

[According to information I have read*], Moderna and Pfizer are of the Messenger RNA vaccine variety.  The high amount of data now available supports the government’s position about the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines against Corona virus and its variants. Please parents, if you have not yet been vaccinated, I am asking [as a fellow county resident and retired Pharmacist*] that you join your kids in line for this gift of health. Remember vaccinations are free, paid for by our government.

This is such good news because now schools will be able to open and open safely. More of our population will be vaccinated and we will approach safety when a high percentage of our population reaches immunity. We can finally see some light at the end of this dark pandemic tunnel.

Safeway Pharmacy announces that they are now offering walk-in COVID-19  vaccinations. Safeway gives everyone they vaccinate a 10% grocery discount coupon. With this offer, you can get vaccinated at Safeway and while you are there do some grocery shopping.

Mary Zanger, Retired Pharmacist

*A few words added by BenitoLink staff to clarify that this is an opinion by a resident and not a promotional article by San Benito County Health, San Benito County or the US Government.