Masks Requirements 

In order to provide our patients and staff with the highest quality of care, as well as comply with the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard, we will continue to take thoughtful, careful steps for everyone's safety.

Providers and patient-facing team members will continue to wear masks and patients and visitors will still be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. If you forget your mask, we are happy to provide you one at no cost. We appreciate your cooperation as your safety is our top priority.

To help manage expectations, please see timeframes below relating to patient requests:

• For non-emergent messages: 48 hours

• For urgent messages: End of day

  • If the message is left after 4:45pm, please expect a call back the following day.

• If you are utilizing our call back feature, please do not continue to call as it will move your place in line and delay your call back.  Please expect more than an hour for your call back.

  • Please make sure your phone is not silencing unknown phone numbers as you may miss our call back.

• Please utilize our chat feature for Family Medicine or Pediatric questions.

• For refills, please utilize chat or the patient portal.

Testing Information

South Bend Clinic patients will be referred to their Primary Care Physician for evaluation.  For non-South Bend Clinic patients, please feel free to visit our Immediate Care Center located at 301 E. Day Rd., Mishawaka for evaluation or check out our Immediate Care online, DocIN. 

If you need testing for travel, please obtain an order from your primary care provider and visit one of our seven lab locations.

Current COVID-19 Testing Turn Around Time (PCR)

As of 7/16/22: 13 hours

I Have Tested Positive for COVID-19, Now What?

CDC Guidelines as of 1/24/22

Pediatrics- as of 11/9/21

We are currently offering the 2021-2022 flu vaccine and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 and older.  Patients can schedule the COVID-19 vaccine at the office of their Primary Care Physician/Pediatrician.  We enourage you to schedule an appointment as supply will fluctuate.  Please continue to check back for updated information.

FAQ's

Q:  Why are you recommending I schedule an appointment for the vaccine?

A:  Many of the practices are using scheduled appointments in order to manage the vaccine doses they have received, hoping to decrease any wasted doses.  We waited a long time to get these vaccines and we want to vaccinate as many children as possible with the doses that we have! 

Each practice is trying to balance vaccinating as many children as they can, along with managing the doses they have received.

Q:  What side effects can I anticipate my child to have after receiving the vaccine?  Will the side effects be worse if he or she has had COVID disease?

A:  Most common side effects that have been reported are pain and tenderness at the site of the injection, along with fever.  It is possible that the side effects could be worse if the child has had COVID, simply because their body will recognize it and start an immune response—however, every person responds differently!  Symptoms, if any, general resolved within 24 hours.

Q:  How long do I need to delay getting this vaccine for my child if he or she has just gotten the flu vaccine?

A: There is no delay required for routine vaccines—patients can receive the COVID vaccine anytime following a flu vaccine. 

If your child has received the MMR or Varicella (live vaccines) recently, it is recommended to allow 4 weeks between receiving a live vaccine, such as Varicella or MMR, and a COVID vaccine. If you have any questions, your child's physician can help answer questions.

Vaccine Booster Recommendation

For those who have received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 18 years and older
• Ages 16-17 *Pfizer Only

For the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Mixing Vaccines:

The CDC recommendation now allows mix and match dosing for booster shots. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. It does not necessarily need to be the original vaccine received.

Where to Receive Booster:

The South Bend Clinic currently has the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine available.  We encourage all patients to make an appointment to receive the booster to ensure we have supply available.  Vaccines are available at the following locations:

Please call to make an appointment and verify supply as it fluctuates*.

• South Bend Clinic Main Campus: Allergy Department
  • Moderna: Appointments- Wednesdays and Thursdays
  • Pfizer: Appointments- Mondays and Fridays

• Granger Family Medicine
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer: 12+
  • Pfizer: 5-11
  • Johnson & Johnson

• Ironwood Family Medicine
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer: 12+
  • Pfizer: 5-11
  • Johnson & Johnson

• Portage Road Family Medicine
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer: 12+
  • Pfizer: 5-11

• Pediatrics: South Bend Clinic Main Campus- by appointment only
  • Pfizer: 12+
  • Pfizer: 5-11
• Pediatrics: Granger
  • Pfizer: 12+
  • Pfizer: 5-11

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

The South Bend Clinic is offering the COVID-19 Vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson)*.  To make an appointment or to establish care, please contact us at 574-234-8161.

To see a full list of eligibility, visit https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/index.htm

• People on the list who should not receive a coronavirus vaccine include:
  • Anyone with a prior severe allergic reaction to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Do not meet the age criteria (under age 5)
    • We currently do not have the COVID-19 vaccine available for any other age group. Please check back for updates.
  • Actively has the virus in which case they should complete the 10 day quarantine period before receiving vaccine.
• Contact your physician prior to receiving the vaccine if:
  • You have had a severe allergic reaction to vaccines in the past. Those who have allergies to foods, pets, and stinging insects can safely receive the vaccine. Those with a history of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) to medications, foods, insects, or other causes should wait 30 minutes after receiving a COVID vaccine.
  • You have other concerns.