Scripps Gives 1,500 COVID-19, Flu Shots at Del Mar Fairgrounds Vaccine Station on First Day of Operation

High interest in inoculations comes as influenza season returns to more normal levels

DEL MAR, Calif. – During the first day of operation of the new Scripps Health vaccination station at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Wednesday, 1,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and 500 influenza vaccine were provided to Scripps patients and employees.

 
And while appointments at the station have been filled for the rest of this week, there are still appointments available to Scripps patients and employees next week and the following week, on Oct. 14, 15, 18 and 19. Appointments may be made through the MyScripps portal.
 
“With flu season under way, there’s no better time than now to get immunized against influenza and COVID-19,” Scripps President and CEO Chris Van Gorder said.
 
Van Gorder and Ghazala Sharieff, M.D., M.B.A., Scripps chief medical officer for acute care, clinical excellence and experience, were at the fairgrounds yesterday to administer the vaccines.
 
“It’s safe to receive both vaccines at the same time, and Scripps wanted to make getting both vaccines as easy as possible by providing both vaccines at Del Mar,” Dr. Sharieff said. “There is no reason to hold off on protecting yourself as much as you can from these potentially serious and deadly diseases.”
 
Already, it’s looking like this year’s flu season will be a more typical one rather than the almost non-existent season seen last year during the height of COVID-19 mask-wearing and social distancing.
 
In fact, a new report from San Diego County this week shows that 167 influenza cases have been recorded so far in the community, well above the prior three-year average of 102 cases at the same time. Last year, only five flu cases had been reported at this point. This week’s figure puts the current flu season more in line with busier seasons recorded in 2017-18 and 2019-2020.
 
ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH
Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of 3,000 affiliated physicians and more than 16,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, 28 outpatient centers and clinics, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region.
 
Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked five times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among of the nation’s best and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.