Angelika The hope for a Christmas without COVID-19 in San Francisco has unfortunately not come true. Although the number of new infections is still relatively low, it is steadily increasing in San Francisco due to the Omicron variant. Currently, we have an average of 11 new cases per 100,000 residents in the city. Since the willingness to get vaccinated in San Francisco and the surrounding area is very high, many people are also getting the booster shot. It is now available for all age groups in the USA from the age of 16.

The responsible American health authority, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), recommends a 6-month interval for the Biontech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines between the completion of the initial two-dose vaccination and the booster. Michael and I have both already received our booster shots. We simply booked an appointment at the drugstore chain "Walgreens" and, just like that, got the third shot in the arm. The whole process went relatively smoothly. We each made an appointment through the Walgreens website. For this, we only had to provide our name, address, and date of birth.

It was also asked when we received the first and second vaccination and with which vaccine. Then we could choose appointments. Although the CDC allows mixing vaccines, the Walgreens website only offered appointments with the same vaccine. That was fine with us. I went to the Walgreens around the corner from us, as they had Pfizer/Biontech. Michael had to go a bit further to the Walgreens in the Castro district. Before the vaccination, we had to fill out a form that asked about allergies and current Covid symptoms, and finally required a signature.

Our health insurance, by the way, fully covers the vaccination. If you don't have health insurance, the vaccination is still free of charge. The booster vaccination was then recorded in our official white CCD vaccination card. The card is in paper format and resembles an index card. After the booster vaccination, we both had mild symptoms, similar to those after the second initial vaccination series. I felt weak and exhausted. Michael had a slight cough and a headache. However, the symptoms disappeared after a day. In San Francisco, by mid-December, 68% of those over 65 had received the booster, 50% of those aged 50-64, 44% of those aged 35-49, and 29% of those aged 16-34 (Official Statistics ).

Even at our school, the vaccination of children is progressing diligently. Almost everyone is already fully vaccinated. My students were very happy that it was finally their turn. I really hope for their sake that there won't be new restrictions again because of Omicron.

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• More topics you might be interested in:

  	Doctor's notes now viewable
  	First Defund, then Refund the Police
  	School Board Recall
  	Walgreens
  	Komoot, the hiking and cycling app
  	Top Product: Pizza Steel