Health Archives » AllergySA

What to Expect this Spring Season

What to Expect this Spring Season

Spring or 2022 has sprung and your allergies might have already made you aware of it…

Pollen and other allergens play a considerable part in affecting many Texans’ lives during the
springtime. Trees produce pollen for their reproduction and spread by wind, whereas flowering
plants depend on insects to spread their pollen. Here’s what to expect this Spring season.

Common Texas tree pollens include:

Oak
Ash
Elm
Pecan
Cottonwood

Those who suffer from pollen allergies can have moderate to severe levels of symptoms like:

Sneezing
Watery, puffy, and itchy eyes
Stuffy nose
Coughing
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing

What can you do to prevent these triggers?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to cure allergies, but there certainly are ways to reduce and
prevent them:
Keep windows closed (especially in the early mornings)
Bathing in the evenings to remove pollen and keep bedding clean
Clean bedding weekly with hot water to remove any allergens
Check pollen count in your city each morning and prepare before you leave your home (P.S. We post San

Antonio’s pollen counts daily on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter– follow us!)

Change your clothes after you’ve been outside
Vacuum and sweep floors weekly (possibly daily, if you have pets)

You can always treat your allergies either through OTC medications or prescribed medication/
biologics.

If you believe you suffer from allergies that affect your daily life, schedule an appointment today
with one of our board-certified providers. We want to help enhance your quality of life and more.

Call us today at 210-616-0882.

March 24, 2022/by Kayla Gomez

English, Health

How Can I Treat and Prevent My Child’s Nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds are common for most children ages 3 to 10. Nosebleeds are caused by several things, such as having allergies or a cold, living in dry climates, or picking the nose. Although there is no cure for nosebleeds, there are ways to easily treat and prevent them.

How can I treat my child’s nosebleed?

When your child’s nosebleed begins, be sure to stay calm and comfort your child.

Have your child sit up and lean forward slightly. This is to prevent them from swallowing blood or vomiting. Do NOT have them lay back- this can worsen the bleeding.

Tell them to breathe out of their mouths while lightly pinching their nose for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

You can apply something cold on the bridge of their nose- no gauze or tissue.

If the bleeding does not stop, repeat the steps.

Be sure to encourage your child to not pick or rub their nose for the following few days.

How can I prevent my child from having nosebleeds?

Keep your child from rubbing and picking their nose.

Teach your child to blow their nose gently.

Keep clean-filtered humidifiers in different rooms if the air in your home is dry.

Use salt-water nasal sprays (talk to your provider before proceeding).

Rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly or medicated ointment around the rim of their nose.

If your child is in a sport or physically active, have them use protective wear that will prevent head injuries or anything that can cause a nosebleed.

Do not smoke around your child.

Call your provider right away if your child is pale, sweaty, or non-responsive if they have lost a lot of blood, or if their nose is bleeding from a blow to the head.

If you have any questions about how to manage your child’s nosebleeds, please give us a call and schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified providers to help you find the best ways to help at 210-616-0882.

August 24, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

English, Health, Illness, YouTube

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

School is right around the corner so we want to make sure your kids with asthma will be safe.

If your child suffers from asthma, it is likely that you already have an Asthma Action Plan for them. If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry! We will show you what an Asthma Action Plan is, what it includes and how to manage it.

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

An asthma action plan is an individualized worksheet that helps you know whether your asthma is controlled and what medications to take. It also can help you know if you should call your doctor or go to the emergency room.

If you use the Asthma Action Plan worksheet properly, it can reduce visits to the doctor.

What does the Asthma Action Plan include?

The asthma action plan includes helpful tools such as:

A daily log of asthma triggers and symptoms
Identifying severity of asthma, normally by using 3 colors- green, yellow, and red (as go, caution, and danger)
What medication you should be taking and when and how often you should be taking it

An example of an asthma action plan looks like this:

Image: AAFA.org

Can I Manage Asthma Another Way?

The Asthma Action plan can be a great way to manage your child’s asthma on a daily basis, but it isn’t the only way.

Some other ways that you can manage asthma are avoiding your triggers, keeping your home clean and cool, and having an inhaler with you at all times (to learn how to properly use your inhaler, check out one of our providers, Erica Gomez’s video, ‘How To Use an Inhaler’).

AllergySA wants nothing more than to help you and your child’s quality of life. If you need assistance in creating the perfect asthma action plan, one of our board-certified providers can help you.

Call 210-616-0882 to schedule your appointment today

July 26, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

Allergies, English, Health, Recipes

Refreshing, Allergy-friendly Recipes for the Summer

Kids are home for the summer and this heat is unreal. You need to keep them busy while you work from home. What do you do?

Family time can be a great and memorable time these days, and what better way to spend time together than by making refreshing allergy-friendly snacks!

Here are 5 refreshing recipes to make your family and friends with allergies on a hot, summer day.

Black Cacao Nice Cream

Ingredients:
- 4 frozen bananas
- ½ cup canned full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 1 tsp activated charcoal
- 1 to 2 tsp agave OR sub honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk

Instructions:
- Blend coconut milk, cacao powder, charcoal, and agave until smooth. Add frozen bananas and blend using the tamper tool until smooth and creamy. Adding up to 1/4 cup non-dairy milk only as needed.
- If you want scoopable ice cream, pour into a freezer-friendly airtight container, or a bread pan and top with plastic wrap. Freeze for 3-6 hours until frozen and allow to thaw 5-15 minutes before scooping.
- Scoop into a bowl or cone, add desired toppings, and enjoy!

Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles

Makes around 6 popsicles, depending on the size of your molds.

Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- One 12-ounce package of frozen raspberries
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 scoop Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Nutritional Booster
- Optional: 2-3 tsp pure maple syrup OR agave

Instructions:
- Place all of the ingredients in your blender. Blend until everything is smooth. Taste and add the sweetener if needed
- Pour into popsicle molds and allow to freeze completely, 6 hours overnight.
- When you’re ready to serve, run warm water over the popsicle mold, until you can slide the popsicle out.

Mango Lava Flow Smoothies

Ingredients
- Mango Puree:
  - ½ cup Dole frozen mango chunks
  - ½ cup coconut milk carton or can, preferably light or it will be thick and hard to blend
- Pina Colada smoothie
  - 1 cup Dole frozen pineapple chunks
  - ½ cup greek yogurt plain or vanilla, or dairy-free yogurt alternative
  - 1 cup coconut milk carton or can, preferably light or it will be thick and hard to blend
  - ½ cup ice (depending on desired consistency)
  - 1 tsp honey, sweeten to taste
  - Optional: ¼ tsp coconut extract
  - Optional: 2 maraschino cherries

Instructions:
- Mango Puree:
  - Combine the mango and coconut milk in a blender and puree until smooth.
  - Set aside in the blender if you have a second blender jar or in a pitcher or measuring cup.
- Pina Colada smoothie
  - Combine the pineapple, yogurt, coconut milk, and ice in a blender and puree until smooth.
- To serve:
  - Pour a small amount of the mango puree into each of the two glasses. Top each with about a quarter of the pina colada smoothie and a little more mango puree. Pour half of the remaining pina colada smoothie in each glass and top with the remaining mango puree.

Triple Berry Kiwi Smoothies- Immunity Boosting

Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- ¾ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- 2 kiwi (peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup of orange juice

Instructions:
- Place frozen berries in a blender and let them thaw for 10 minutes.
- Add kiwi and orange juice and blend on high until smooth.
- Garnish with desired fruit and enjoy!

Fizzy Pineapple Punch

Ingredients:
- One 12-ounce can of frozen pineapple juice concentrate thawed
- One 6-ounce can of frozen limeade concentrate thawed
- 1 ½ cups cold water
- 1-liter club soda chilled
- Assorted fruit: strawberries raspberries, blueberries, oranges, limes, and pineapple)
- Optional: garnish such as fresh mint
Instructions:
- Pour thawed pineapple juice concentrate and thaw limeade concentrate in a large pitcher
- Add cold water and most of the club soda (reserve about ⅓ cup)
- Stir to combine and chill until cold
- Add ice cubes and assorted fruits to serving glasses and pour in chilled punch
- Garnish as desired and top off glasses with a splash of extra club soda

We hope that these recipes will help you and your family find great new snacks and spend more time together. Thank you, A Whisk and Two Wands, Allergy Awesomeness, Cupcakes, and Kale Chips, the pretty bee, and The Chunky Chef for providing these recipes, respectively.

If you suspect you or a loved one has food allergies, call Allergy SA at (210) 616-0882 to schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist. Same day appointments are available.

June 23, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

English, Health, Illness

What is Eosinophilic Asthma?

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell in our body that helps fight off parasitic infections and cancers. They also play a role in allergic reactions. They make up a small fraction of our white blood cells, and the number of eosinophils in our blood can vary over time. If the number of eosinophils in your bloodstream or organs are elevated, you may have an eosinophil-associated disease.

Although many diseases are caused by an increasing number of eosinophils in your body, we will focus on what is, and the background behind eosinophilic asthma.

What is Eosinophilic Asthma (e-asthma)?

Eosinophilic asthma is a subtype of asthma that is normally seen in adults ranging from 35-50 years of age, although it can occur in children and young adults as well. If you have asthma, the number of eosinophils are high in your blood, lung tissue, or mucus and coughed up from your respiratory tract, you likely have e-asthma.

Unfortunately, the cause for e-asthma remains unknown. However, those with e-asthma do not usually have any disease-related allergies that provoke asthma symptoms. There are many ongoing clinical trials that center around therapies to control e-asthma symptoms.

Symptoms

Eosinophilic asthma has similar symptoms to classic asthma. However, the symptoms are more severe and constant. These include:

Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Coughing
Airflow obstruction
Chronic rhinitis with nasal polyps
Inflamed nasal mucous membrane

Diagnosis

If you have severe asthma, levels of eosinophils by analyzing your blood, sputum, saliva, or conducting a bronchial biopsy (tiny forceps passed through a channel of the bronchoscope into your lungs).

Treatments

Although e-asthma has been established for many years, there are now new treatments that can reduce eosinophils.

Biologic therapies that target eosinophils may be prescribed to treat eosinophilic asthma.

Biologics that are currently approved for use in the U.S. include the following

Benralizumab: antibody that binds Interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptors. 12 years and older
Dupilumab: Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor and binds to the IL-4 alpha receptor. 12 years and older
Mepolizumab: an antibody that recognizes and blocks Interleukin-5 (IL-5). 6 years and older
Reslizumab: an antibody that recognizes and blocks Interleukin-5 (IL-5). 18 years and older

Many treatments and therapies are underway to improve the lives of many with eosinophilic asthma.

If you or someone you know suffer from severe asthma, our board-certified providers are ready to help you find the right treatment for you. Call 210-616-0882 to schedule your appointment today.

May 26, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

English, Health

10 Asthma Myth Busters

Asthma is an extremely common lung condition in the United States- approximately 26 million children and adults suffer from it. With so many people having this condition, there are bound to be rumors and myths that come with it. Today, we will fact-check some of these myths to create more safety and awareness for those with asthma.

Myth: Children can outgrow asthma.1

Truth: Asthma can go into periods of remission or may be so well controlled that symptoms are not experienced for long periods. Once you have asthma, you’ll always have asthma.

Myth: Asthma is difficult to control. 3

Truth: It can be well-controlled with the right treatment options available to you.

Myth: You can stop medication during the seasons that you don’t have any exposure to your asthma triggers.1

Truth: It’s important for you to continue your asthma action plan and take your medication to keep control of your asthma. Your doctor may tell you to reduce your medication if it is well under control, however, it is very dangerous to stop without supervision.

Myth: Pregnant women with asthma should not take the flu shot.1

Truth: Pregnant women should get the flu shot when it’s available. Getting the vaccine is protecting them, and via the placenta, giving the baby some flu immunity, too.

Myth: Asthma medication is dangerous and can be addicting.4

Truth: No asthma medication used in the U.S. is habit-forming or addicting. Although some medications are inhaled corticosteroids, these are not related to the steroids used for muscle growth (for athletes).

Myth: Asthma can’t be fatal.5

Truth: It is rare, but fatalities can happen. The rate of death due to asthma has been decreasing since 2001

Myth: My child has asthma and shouldn’t be allowed to play outside or play any sports.7

Truth: All kids need to exercise and be healthy. As long as a child with controlled asthma takes their medication before they play outside or join a sport, they should be able to keep up. If the child has uncontrolled asthma, they may develop symptoms as they play.

Myth: Asthma symptoms are the same for everyone.2

Truth: Asthma affects each person differently. One person might show several symptoms and others may just cough.

Myth: Asthma is all in your mind.2

Truth: Asthma is hard to predict but can be very serious. There can be underlying inflammation in the airways in people with asthma. Asthma doesn’t just go away when symptoms are gone.

Myth: Asthma medication becomes less effective over time.6

Truth: If you have an asthma attack, it may not be that your medication has stopped working- it may just be the air quality or you are being exposed to a new environmental trigger. Although if it is noticeable that you’re having a difficult time controlling your asthma, contact your doctor and find ways to better manage or change your medication.

If you have any questions about how to maintain your asthma, please give us a call and schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified providers to help you find the best ways to help. 210-616-0882.

Allergyasthmanetwork.com
https://health.utah.gov/asthma/pdfs/factsheets/myths_facts_asthma.pdf
https://www.amestrib.com/news/20180514/myth-busting-5-facts-about-allergic-asthma-that-may-surprise-you
health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2018-12-04/common-myths-about-asthma
https://www.pulmonologyadvisor.com/home/topics/asthma/asthma-myths-5-misconceptions-your-patients-might-have/
https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/busting-6-asthma-myths
https://www.chop.edu/news/asthma-myths-and-facts

May 4, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

Allergies, English, Health

What You Need to Know About Palforzia

AllergySA is the first clinic in San Antonio to introduce Palforzia. We have, since, been named second in the nation to have a patient reach maintenance phase.

Since Palforzia has been successful, many parents are interested in this treatment and might have several questions about it. Let’s explore the need-to-know information to understand what Palforzia really is.

What is Palforzia?

Palforzia is an oral immunotherapy treatment for children of ages 4-17, with peanut allergy to help reduce the severity of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. It is a defatted peanut protein powder that is carefully measured in capsules or a sachet, depending on how large the dosage is. It is the first FDA approved oral immunotherapy for a food allergy.

Your child can face a severe reaction to exposure to peanuts, and this treatment can help reduce the likeliness of a reaction.

How effective is Palforzia?

Effectiveness is proven as long as your child is on Palforzia. Recent studies have shown that children with long-term daily dosing treatments have had the greatest strides in reaching maintenance in desensitization to their peanut allergy.

Just after 2 years of taking Palforzia, more than 80% of children demonstrated desensitization to 2000 mg of peanut protein (which is equivalent to 6 peanut kernels).

How is Palforzia taken?

Palforzia is a powder to be mixed in soft, room temperature food such as pudding, applesauce, or anything else that is tolerated by the child.

Open capsule or sachet and mix in food
Wash hands after mixing
Medication can be refrigerated between 2-8⁰C

What are the side effects?

Side effects include:

Stomach pain
Vomiting
Feeling sick
Itching or burning in the mouth
Throat irritation
Cough
Runny rose
Sneezing
Itchy skin
Hives

Most side effects are mild and resolve within 40 minutes of taking Palforzia. More severe reactions include the risk of anaphylaxis and developing Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).

How do I start my child on Palforzia?

All children must first be enrolled in the Palforzia Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program (REMS). This is a safety program that manages the risk of anaphylaxis associated with Palforzia and is required by the FDA to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

If your doctor prescribes your child to Palforzia, they will send the prescription to a specialty pharmacy. If your insurance is eligible the pharmacy will reach out to you to confirm the shipment details of Palforzia.

Patients with no insurance or with commercial insurance who have been denied coverage can be put in the Palforzia Pathway Patient Assistance Program and are eligible to receive Palforzia at no cost.

If you think that Palforzia is something that your child may need, schedule an appointment with us at 210-616-0882 today to learn more.

April 19, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

Allergies, English, Health

15 Allergy Friendly & Affordable Easter Candy

Easter is right around the corner and we want to make sure that you are fully aware of what your children will eat this weekend. We have made a list of 15 affordable Easter treats that exclude some of the most common allergens so you can have a fun and safe Easter weekend!

Amanda’s Own Confections: Jelly Beans

This product is dairy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, egg-free, sesame-free, mustard-free, shellfish-free and crustacean-free. NOT vegan.
Price: ranges from $7.25 – $8.25

Chocolate Emporium: Chocolate bunnies

This product is dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and parve.
Price: $4.85 each

Double Bubble: Egg shaped gumballs

This product is nut-free gluten-free, shellfish-free, egg-free and kosher.
Price: $1.00

Evolved: Chocolate bars

This product is gluten-free, dairy-free, cane sugar-free, soy-free and vegan. Check website for more flavors and ingredient listings.
Price: $4.99

free2b Foods: Chocolate butter cups

This product is gluten-free, egg-free, fish-free, peanut-free, shellfish-free, soy-free, tree nut-free and wheat-free. Check website for more flavors and ingredient listings.
Price: $2.50

No Whey Foods: Chocolate lollipops

This product is dairy-free, milk-free, lactose-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free and vegan.
Price: $3.95 each

Spangler: Dumdum fruity bunny pops

This product is dairy-free, gluten-free, tree nut-free, peanut-free, egg-free, soy-free, and fat-free.
Price: $2.99

Jelly Belly Candy Company: Sunkist fruit gems

This product is fat-free, peanut-free, gluten-free, kosher and vegan.
Price: $7.59

Tootsie Roll: Easter Midgees

This product is egg-free, tree nut-free, coconut-free, sesame-free, gluten free, wheat-free, shellfish-free and kosher.
Price: $9.99

Vermont Nut Free Chocolates: Marshmallow on a stick

This product is peanut-free, tree nut-free, coconut-free, sesame-free, fish-free, shellfish-free and kosher.
Price: $3.95 each

YumEarth: Licorice

This product is peanut-free, gluten-free, tree nut-free, milk-free, egg-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, soy-free and vegan. Check website for more flavors and ingredient listings.

Enjoy Life Foods: Chocolate Minis

This product is wheat-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sulfate-free, lupin-free, fish-free, crustaceans-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, casein-free, egg-free, sesame-free, mustard-free and shellfish-free. Check website for more flavors and ingredient listings.
Price: $4.99

Skip’s Candies: Marsh Pops

This product is peanut-free, tree nut-free, and coconut-free.
Price: $3.25

Bo & Ty: Gummy worms

This product is nut-free and gluten-free.
Price: $6.14

Smarties (American): anything!

All of their product is gluten-free, milk-free, egg-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, tree nut-free, peanut-free, wheat-free, soy-free and vegan.
Price: starting at $2.89

We hope that you stay safe this weekend and enjoy all of the sweets and always remember to look at ingredients label before you consume your candy.

If you believe that your child has food allergies, please call AllergySA to schedule an appointment with one of our providers at 210-616-0882.

Happy Easter!

March 31, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

English, Health

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Issued for Emergency Use Authorization

UPDATE 4/13/21: The Texas Department of State Health Services is asking vaccine providers in Texas to pause all administration of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine following the CDC’s recommendation as it investigates six reported U.S. cases of a rare blood clot. For more information, see the DSHS Statement on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine here.

As of February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the third COVID-19 vaccine.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine has properly met the required FDA criteria and will be provided in the United States for individuals 18 years and older. While the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are still to be distributed, J&J plans to deliver over 20 million doses in March and 100 million doses within the first half of 2021.

What’s So Different About J&J’s Vaccine?

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both have similar studies, effectiveness rates, vaccine types, etc. to prevent COVID-19 and have proven effectiveness. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine shows various differences that are still effective and will prevent contracting COVID-19.

While Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines, Johnson & Johnson developed a harmless adenovirus vector vaccine. This means the vaccine uses a harmless adenovirus to introduce COVID-19 spike protein information to the body, and helps us develop antibodies and immune cells to fight COVID-19 infection. Johnson & Johnson used this approach with their Ebola vaccine in July of 2020, which authorized by the European Medicines Agency.

The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is a single-shot vaccine as opposed to the two-shot strategy that Pfizer and Moderna have developed. It is 66% effective in preventing the disease and 85% effective in preventing severe disease. These percentages are shown to be effective 28 days after vaccination. This vaccine is a useful tool in fighting the pandemic and combating the continuous high number of cases.

What Should I Do After Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Continue to wear your mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and all other practical guidelines that the CDC has provided us. As of right now, the vaccine is not quite yet out for the general public, so there are many without the vaccine that are still at risk of acquiring COVID-19.

Please continue to be cautious around those at high risk and the elderly.

It is recommended that once an individual is vaccinated, they are to be monitored 30 minutes after. If you are someone with a medication, food and/or vaccine allergy, it is advised that you keep your EpiPen alongside you at all times- before, during and after your COVID-19 vaccine.

However, medication, food and/or other vaccine allergies are NOT a contraindication for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Allergy SA will keep you updated with the latest, and will let our patients now as soon as we have the vaccine available in our clinics. To stay updated, please visit our page www.allergysa.com/covid19vaccine or call us for any questions you may have at 210-616-0882.

March 3, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

Health

COVID-19 Vaccine

AllergySA continues to monitor the approval of COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States and the distribution/availability within our San Antonio community. We will continue to update our patients with information as we receive it.

Who Can Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

As of Tuesday, November 2, 2021, everyone 5 years old and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas.

Children 5-11 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This vaccine for children has the same ingredients as the adults and adolescent vaccines. It is, however, an age-appropriate dose of one-third of the adult and adolescent doses and smaller needles designed for children.

The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations. All vaccines are authorized for people 18 years old and older. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for people 12 years old and older.

For more details on the DSHS phases visit: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx

Please call our offices at 210-616-0882 to schedule.

We continue to monitor vaccine locations throughout our community and will update this section as the information is received.

MetroHealth/Alamodome: MetroHealth continues to offer vaccine appointments per week dependent on supply. Appointments are required and can be made at covid19.sanantonio.gov/vaccine, by calling 311 (option 8) or 210-207-6000 (option 8).
WellMed’s Vaccine Locations are currently making appointments by phone only. Call 833-968-1745 to schedule.
University Health Vaccination Clinic (4522 Fredericksburg Road): For more information and to scheduled visit wecandoitsa.com
UT Health San Antonio has opened vaccine appointments to the general public. Appointments can be made by visiting: schedule.utmedicinesa.com
H-E-B Pharmacies are continually opening appointment slots as they receive supply. For more information and to view availability visit vaccine.heb.com
Walmart Pharmacies are administering vaccines at select locations. To view availability and to schedule visit walmart.com/covidvaccine
CVS Pharmacies are administering vaccines at select locations. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting: cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccination?

At this time we recommend everyone to get the vaccine, including those who have already recovered from COVID-19.

Some benefits include:

It is effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and may also protect those people living and working with you.
- Pfizer-BioNTech: 95% effective 7 days after fully vaccinated
- Moderna: 94.1% effective 14 days after fully vaccinated
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen: 66% effective 28 days after vaccination
Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection but if you are infected, there is no way to know how it will affect you. Vaccination will be a safer way to build protection.
Vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

What is Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Will It Work?

On February 27, 2021, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is issued to be the third Emergency Use Authorization COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

Harmless adenovirus vector vaccine that helps our body develop antibodies and immune cells to fight the infection
Available to ages of 18 years and older
Single-shot vaccine has proven 66% effectiveness in fighting the pandemic

Visit our most recent blog post to learn everything you need to now about the new Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

We continue to monitor and learn more daily and will update our patients as more information becomes available.

For more information, watch Dr. Lukena Karkhanis answer your most common questions about the vaccine and vaccine reactions during these recent Facebook LIVE events.

January 8, 2021/by Kayla Gomez

What to Expect this Spring Season

How Can I Treat and Prevent My Child’s Nosebleeds?

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

Refreshing, Allergy-friendly Recipes for the Summer

Black Cacao Nice Cream

Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles

Makes around 6 popsicles, depending on the size of your molds.

Mango Lava Flow Smoothies

Triple Berry Kiwi Smoothies- Immunity Boosting

Fizzy Pineapple Punch

What is Eosinophilic Asthma?

10 Asthma Myth Busters

What You Need to Know About Palforzia

15 Allergy Friendly & Affordable Easter Candy

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Issued for Emergency Use Authorization

COVID-19 Vaccine

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Medical Center

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Southside

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