COVID-19 Booster Shot Q&A

COVID-19 Booster Shot Q&A

We spoke to our mobile clinic’s nurse practitioner, Kristie Carazo to learn more about the COVID-19 booster shot now available at Open Health. Ms. Carazo has given over 4,000 vaccines since COVID-19 started and she along with health officials recommend getting a booster shot to protect yourself and our community.

What is a booster shot?

Vaccines do a great job at protecting us from serious diseases. Some vaccines can protect us forever after receiving the vaccination while others weaken over time and our body needs more than one shot of the vaccine to "Boost" our immunity. This extra shot is called a booster dose. Vaccines that we receive as kids to protect us against tetanus need a booster dose. Research shows that people will need a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine also.

Who is eligible to receive the booster shot?

Anyone who has received the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine 6-months after they receive their second dose.  As of today, people who have moderately to severely weakened immune systems can receive a third dose 28-days after receiving their second dose. This includes people who have been receiving cancer treatments, have had organ and stem cell transplants or severe primary immunodeficiency such as untreated HIV.

Does this mean my vaccine is no longer protecting me?

Kristie Carazo, FNP-C

The protection you have from a vaccine can gone down over time. Research into the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines show that a booster dose is needed to increase your protection to COVID-19. An extra COVID-19 vaccine dose could provide your body with more antibodies to help protect you from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

Could a booster cause side effects?

Booster vaccines have the potential to cause side effects that you may have experienced after your initial dose. But everyone is different and each person can have different reactions to the booster.

Could you mix and match vaccines?

Yes, people will receive a booster dose of either Moderna or Pfizer depending on which vaccine they initially received.

What if I received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

You can choose which booster to receive from the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Call us at 225-655-6422 to schedule your booster shot appointment.

Community Advisory Board

Join Open Health’s Community Advisory Board

Help improve the client services and patient care at Open Health. The new community advisory board (CAB) meets monthly to discuss ways to improve our health center. CAB members serve as a link between the patients, the community, and Open Health. Please call Dr. Barney at (225) 655-6422 or pick up an application at the clinic front desk.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Updated 3/22/2021 per new state vaccine guidelines.

Now Offering Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccines

Open Health is now offering COVID-19 vaccines in a convenient drive-thru clinic. Schedule an appointment with our nursing staff by calling us at (225) 655-6422.

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Information about Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic

Do you qualify to receive the vaccine? You must meet one of these requirements:

• Pregnant women of any age

• Adults 18+

Do I have to be a patient of Open Health to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

No. Anyone can get the vaccine as long as they meet the requirements listed above.

Do I need an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine thru our drive-thru clinic?

Yes! Appointments are required. Please call us at (225) 655-6422 to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination. 

What should I bring to my vaccination appointment?

• Photo ID

• Insurance card

• Personnel working in the qualifying fields listed above must bring a paystub or badge to their vaccine appointment.

Contact us:

If you have questions, please call us at (225) 655-6422.

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Information about the covid-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

How many vaccine shots do I need:

Open Health will give you two shots, 28 days apart. We will schedule your second shot when we make your appointment for your first vaccine shot.

Throughout the rest of your body

• Fever

• Chills

• Tiredness

• Headaches

On the arm where you got the shot

• Pain

• Swelling

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Have more questions about the covid-19 vaccine?

Visit the CDC to learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

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We will update this site as additional information becomes available. 3/22/2021

Mobile COVID-19 Testing

Drive-UP Mobile Testing Is Now Open

Criteria For testing

• Showing a temperature of 99.5 F or higher

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Been in contact with someone who has COVID-19

  Doctors Order NOT Required

Time & Locations:

We currently do not have any mobile testing dates scheduled, however you can drive-thru our permanent testing site located near our main clinic in mid-city at 3905 Convention St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

Call (225) 655-6422 for any questions or concerns.

Page updated: 11/24/2020