Eighty percent of eligible Sonoma County residents now fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Eighty percent of residents 5 and older in Sonoma County are now fully vaccinated, marking another major milestone in the 14-month-long campaign to protect Sonoma County residents from the worst outcomes of the COVID-19 virus.

The county Department of Health Services announced today that a total of 992,119 doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered in Sonoma County since the campaign began 14 months ago. That includes first, second and booster doses. A total of 374,562 residents, or 80 percent of the 5 and older population who are eligible for the shot, are now fully vaccinated. Another 36,352 residents are partially vaccinated, equivalent to 8 percent of the eligible population in Sonoma County. The county has distributed booster doses to 211,113 residents so far, or 62 percent of the eligible population.

The vaccination campaign, coordinated locally by the county Department of Health Services in partnership with federal and state health agencies, local hospitals, pharmacies, health clinics and community organizations, has continued to outpace state and national efforts. By comparison, 73 percent of the eligible population in California and 68 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated.

“Reaching 80 percent is a major achievement for a county of our size,” said Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County’s health officer. “It is a testament to the hard work of all of our health care partners who answered the call in a time of crisis to distribute this lifesaving vaccine into the community. Now four out of five residents have decided to protect themselves and the community and help us control the pandemic.”

Sonoma County has the ninth highest vaccination rate of the 58 counties in California. Because of this high level of protection, Sonoma County has 55 percent fewer deaths per 100,000 residents than the state average and 26 percent fewer COVID-19 cases than the state average.

The county remains focused on administering first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the 20 percent of residents who are not fully immunized, and distributing boosters to those who are eligible, currently people 12 and older. The county is currently hosting a large vaccine clinic at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through February 20. Walk-ups are welcome and boosters are available along with first and second doses. Meanwhile, school-based clinics continue to be offered in partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education. The vaccine is also available at most pharmacies, health clinics and primary care providers. For a list of clinics that are open to the general public, go to SoCoEmergency.org/vaccine.

“The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available for free. Most importantly, it is saving lives,” Mase said. “During this omicron surge, it is keeping people out of the hospital and protecting them from the worst effects of COVID-19. The unvaccinated are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and 13 times more likely to die from the virus.”

Walk-ups for first and second doses are accepted at most clinics and pharmacies. Residents also may make appointments at the county’s vaccine clinic page or through the myturn.ca.gov web site. Residents who need help making an appointment are encouraged to call the county COVID-19 hotline at (707) 565-4667.

For more information, including the latest vaccine numbers, who’s eligible for a vaccine and how to receive a vaccine, community members are encouraged to visit SoCoEmergency.org/vaccine, or call 2-1-1.