The bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster was available on campus Thursday, distributed by Mission Wellness Pharmacy. 

The booster was authorized on Sep. 2 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and this booster is more effective against the current strains of COVID-19 affecting our community, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

“I got my booster to protect myself and others, especially my mom because she is leaving for a trip soon,” sophomore Siena Bianchi said. “I want to make sure that I am thinking about others and doing my best to keep us all safe.”

With the vaccine clinic open and accessible to all members of the community, it is much easier to stay safe and get vaccinated for COVID-19, according to Head of School Rachel Simpson.

 “At the start of COVID-19 we were committed to creating and sustaining a standard of weekly testing, for school and community members,” Simpson said. “We have partnered with Mission Wellness and we are so happy that we get to run these clinics to help keep our community safe.”

Community members must schedule an appointment  through Mission Wellness Pharmacy before their on campus vaccine. The clinic was open to families of students, but was not open to the broader public. 

“I think it is really great that the vaccine clinic can be held on campus because it makes it really easy to get a shot,” senior Natalie Posner said. “All of the past vaccine clinics have been run very well, and I appreciate all of the work put into organizing them.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people stay up to date with all of their COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose.

“The clinic was set up very nicely — I signed in and they stamped my vaccine card and then I got my booster,” Bianchi said. “I had to wait for 15 minutes after to make sure I wouldn’t have a reaction, but it was very efficient.”