April 14, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m.
Every Wednesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Berenice Constant, Vice President, Government Affairs and Civic Engagement; and Steven Satzger, Director, Learning and Training, update our clinic and corporate lines of business leaders.

This morning Olivia Lee, Manager, Legislative and Advocacy Affairs, presented on behalf of Government Affairs.  

You can listen to today's recording here.
Sherrill Brown, M.D.
Berenice Constant
Steven Satzger
Update on the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

The CDC and FDA have recommended to temporarily pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen COVID-19 vaccine effective Tuesday, April 13. Click here to read the CDC/FDA joint statement, or click here to read the J&J statement.

In accordance with the CDC and FDA, AltaMed immediately stopped administering the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. We are offering only the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

We have prepared the following talking points/FAQs in English and Spanish for patient-facing staff to help answer questions that may come up.

Providers and clinical staff: Continue to read your emails and all communications sent on this matter.

Leaders: Cascade these messages accordingly to your staff.
Grand Rounds Discussion On Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

In the Tuesday, April 13 COVID-19 Treatment, Vaccine Updates and Q&A Forum Grand Rounds session, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention, provided the most recent updates on the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine suspension and answered questions on the overall COVID-19 vaccination process.

Click here for the WebEx recording. Below are the timestamps to help you follow the presentation:
  • Introduction: 0:00 – 1:58
  • Announcements: 1:59 – 8:25
  • Q&A Session: 8:26 – 43:21

As a reminder, Medical Education will continue to host COVID-related Grand Rounds sessions to update our providers and organization on the ever-changing vaccination processes. Look for an email invitation.

You can always access materials and recordings from past sessions on the AltaMed Grand Rounds page on Town Square.
CDC Vaccination Cards

AltaMed vaccine administration sites should be completing and giving out the CDC-provided COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Note: We used the AltaMed-branded vaccination cards in the beginning of our process when we were running low on the CDC cards.

Going forward:
  • Only use the CDC-provided COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.
  • Do not laminate the card.
  • Keep the card in a safe place should you need it in the future.
  • For those who have the AltaMed-branded vaccination card, you can return it to a vaccination site and have it replaced with the CDC vaccination card.
Employee Vaccination Reminders

As of today, a total of 2,201 AltaMed employees have been fully vaccinated, with another 163 receiving their first dose.

Complete Your Declination
  • If you are waiting to get the vaccine for any reason, please fill out the COVID-19 declination form.
  • You may change your mind at any time and sign up to get vaccinated.

Vaccination Appointments

  • You will receive a reminder before your appointment. Remember to:
  • Work with your supervisor to ensure your availability.
  • Wear short sleeves.
  • Do not carpool with your colleagues. 
  • For Dose 2, bring your vaccination card with you.

Submit Your Proof
  • If you received the vaccine outside of AltaMed, email a copy of your vaccination card to Employee Health for documentation purposes only.

Earn 500 Vitality Points
  • AltaMed employees can earn 500 Vitality points for submitting proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the Vitality site on Town Square, log in, and go to the Points Planner, then select the COVID Awareness and Prevention option. Follow the directions and earn your Vitality points. 
Patient and Community Vaccine Eligibility Updates

AltaMed Vaccination Sites
  • AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – West Covina (Saturday, April 17)
  • AltaMed Medical Group – Pico Rivera, Passons (once a week, every Thursday)
  • AltaMed Medical Group – Huntington Park (once a week, every Monday)
  • AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – Anaheim (Pharmacy only)
  • AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – Huntington Beach (Thursdays and Fridays)
  • AltaMed PACE – Santa Ana (Monday through Friday)

AltaMed Pharmacies
  • Most of our pharmacies are providing the vaccine to our patients who can call the AltaMed Vaccine Hotline at (888) 909-5232 to schedule their appointment. 

PACE
  • PACE continues to vaccinate its eligible participants.

Statewide
  • Effective Thursday, April 15, individuals aged 16 and older will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Click here to read more.
  • Note: The Pfizer vaccine is administered to those 16 years and older, while the Moderna vaccine is administered to those 18 and older.

Orange County
  • We are offering vaccination appointments to AltaMed patients and community members who meet the county eligibility requirements.

Los Angeles County
  • We have a limited supply of vaccines and are prioritizing appointments for eligible AltaMed patients. If patients meet the eligibility requirements, clinics can make appointments for their patients or they can direct patients to call the AltaMed Vaccine Hotline at (888) 909-5232 to make an appointment. 
  • AltaMed patients can schedule an appointment through MyAltaMed. If you do not have an account, sign up today at myaltamed.net.
Staying Safe at Work

  1. Wear your masks—Face masks are to be worn at all times over your nose and mouth (except when drinking or eating), and should be stored properly or discarded. Patients need to wear masks at all times in examination rooms as well.
  2. Maintain hand hygiene—Staff should have easy access to hand sanitizer dispensers to clean hands frequently, and should wash their hands for 20 seconds at a time.
  3. Practice physical distancing—Stay six feet apart from other individuals whether inside or outside.
  4. Wipe down any work surfaces you touch.
  5. If employees need to be within six feet of someone for a prolonged period of time, wear a face shield and face mask in both an administrative and clinical setting—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. In addition, a face shield and face mask need to be worn at all times when interacting with patients.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site.
Questions and Communications

We welcome your questions, suggestions, and input. We do review each question and respond appropriately, so please continue to email us—click here. Know that this is a safe space and most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.

FAQs
  • Click here to read the weekly FAQs (answers to questions are pending).
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered.

Town Square
  • We have updated this site to include current information and helpful resources. Go to the COVID-19 Vaccine news block (top left) on Town Square.

How to Stay Informed
Please Note: If you are contacted by the media with questions about the coronavirus outbreak or for any other reason, please email Veronica Orozco, Sr. Manager, Public Relations. The Public Relations team monitors all media coverage of AltaMed (social and traditional platforms) to uphold our reputation. If you have questions and concerns regarding media coverage, please call Veronica at (323) 482-3073. If you'd like to read news releases from AltaMed, visit our external website, AltaMed.org under Newsroom.