A year in Santa Barbara County
Hitting the right note
2021 SB County Grand Jury puts out final report - A2
Taking a look at new animated movie “Sing 2” - B1
Our 166th Year
T U E SDAY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 02 2
Stearns Wharf celebrates 150 years ‘Wharf Wednesdays’ coming to state’s oldest working wooden wharf
NEWS-PRESS FILE
The first Wednesday of each month, “Wharf Wednesdays” will see businesses on the wharf offering special deals in celebration of the Santa Barbara landmark’s 150 years serving the community.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Stearns Wharf, lauded as the oldest working wood wharf in California, has served Santa
Barbara for 150 years — first as a spot to dock cargo and passenger ships and now as a popular leisure destination. To commemorate the anniversary, the businesses on the wharf are offering specials on the
first Wednesday of the month, or “Wharf Wednesdays.” The monthly celebrations will also include pieces of the wharf’s history. Stearns Wharf, built by John Pec Stearns in 1872, has
sustained storms, fires and near collapse. The City of Santa Barbara is also planning family-friendly activities along the 2,300-footlong pier on Wharf Wednesdays. Please see WHARF on A2
COURTESY PHOTO
Stearns Wharf was originally used to dock cargo and passenger ships coming to Santa Barbara, but in more recent years has become a popular leisure destination.
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FDA approves Pfizer booster for children 12 and over
NEWS-PRESS FILE
Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been approved for children over 12 by the FDA, with the CDC expected to follow suit on Wednesday.
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
On Monday, the FDA approved the use of the Pfizer booster for children over the age of 12. The CDC has yet to approve the booster, but that is expected to come on Wednesday. The FDA also expanded the use of the single booster dose to include use in individuals ages 12-15, as well as approving a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children ages five to eleven, according to the FDA press release. “Throughout the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID19 has continuously evolved, the need for the FDA to quickly adapt has meant using the best available science to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind. With the current wave of the omicron variant, it’s critical that we continue to take effective, lifesaving preventative measures such as primary vaccination and boosters, mask wearing and social distancing in order to effectively fight COVID-19,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D., in a press release. “A good thing here is also the change on the timing of the booster to five months instead of six. That’s a big step for this country, which has been resistant to the data,”said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translation Institute in La Jolla, according
to a report by Reuters. Dr. Topol also said that a third shot is essential to protect against Omicron for severe disease. “Based on the FDA’s assessment of currently available data, a booster dose of the currently authorized vaccines may help provide better protection against both the delta and omicron variants. In particular, the omicron variant appears to be more resistant to the antibody levels produced in response to the primary series doses from the current vaccines. With this in mind, the FDA has extended the range of individuals eligible to receive a booster, shortened the length of time between the completion of the Pfizer primary series for individuals to receive a booster and is authorizing a third protective vaccine dose for some of our youngest and most vulnerable individuals,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Fact sheets have been provided for recipients and caregivers as well as for healthcare providers which contain information about potential side effects. The FDA will publicly post documents on their website regarding the agency’s decision following authorization. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department did not respond to a News-Press request for comment. email: kzehnder@newspress.com
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