In an effort to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Isla Vista and the broader Goleta and Santa Barbara communities, UC Santa Barbara is partnering with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department to hold a booster vaccination clinic on multiple days in January.

The clinic began Jan. 11 with a full slate of appointments, and served walk-ins through the afternoon, staffed by Santa Barbara County and volunteers from UCSB. The first day saw a number of Isla Vista residents, including Santa Barbara City College students, taking advantage of the clinic, as well as UCSB students and others.

The operation will continue 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 18, 21, 25 and 28 at UCSB’s Embarcadero Hall in Isla Vista. Appointments are available through the MyTurn system; boosters also will be offered, as available, on days that book out.

The CDC now defines “fully vaccinated” as a person who has received a booster vaccination for COVID-19. The agency recommends a booster beginning five months after completing the original vaccination series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or the Moderna vaccine, and two months after the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

With the region currently experiencing record numbers of daily COVID-19 cases amid the surge attributed to Omicron, boosters are a critical tool in helping to stem infections, according to Dr. Vejas Skripkus, executive director of Student Health, and campus physician at UCSB.

“There is strong evidence that infection leading to asymptomatic, mild or moderate illness can occur from the Omicron variant in persons who have previously received two doses of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) or the single-dose J&J/Janssen vaccine,” Skripkus said. “There is also a significant risk for reinfection by the Omicron variant for those previously infected with other variants of the virus who are not vaccinated. 

“Fortunately, recent studies demonstrate that a third booster vaccination with either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine can provide very high levels of protective antibodies against the Omicron variant,” Skripkus said. “Thus, the single most effective strategy at this time for mitigating transmission is widespread booster vaccination.

“We are pleased to partner with Santa Barbara County Public Health to offer boosters not only to our students, but to residents of Isla Vista and surrounding communities.”