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County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › County Administrator's Office › Weekly Roundup for November 19 2021
County Administrator's Office

Weekly Roundup for Nov. 19, 2021

Published: November 19, 2021

New cases have edged up recently as we enter the winter season and the holidays when we spend more time indoors. Public health officials say using mitigation measures are vital to avoiding a surge in cases and hospitalizations in the coming months. 

With pediatric vaccines now available, parents are encouraged to reach out to their pediatrician or a local pharmacy. Pharmacy appointments can be made through Myturn.ca.gov. Vaccines also will be available at clinics planned for school sites.

Access to booster shots has now been extended to everyone 18 and older. Those who want to strengthen their immune systems with a booster are encouraged to go to their primary care providers and local pharmacies. Supplies at local clinics may be limited.

This week Sonoma County health officials as well as local pediatricians and school officials answered your questions about the pediatric vaccine. You can watch the webinar here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/CountyofSonoma/featured

View all COVID-19 data in Sonoma County here:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/1edbb41952a8417385652279305e878d


Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following:

  1. Update on booster shots in Sonoma County
  2. Update on pediatric vaccine campaign
  3. Complaints received on face covering health order
  4. Helpful guidance for holiday gatherings, travel
  5. COVID-19 community resources & support
  6. Other news items from County of Sonoma

 

Update on Booster Shots in Sonoma County

Sonoma County has opened up COVID-19 boosters to all adults 18 years and older, provided they qualify based on the timing of their last dose of the vaccine. No adult who seeks to strengthen their immune systems in advance of the holiday season will be turned away under the guidelines.

All recipients of the two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines may now receive a booster as long as at least six months have passed since receiving their second dose. The expansion aligns the county with California Department of Public Health guidance this week stating patients can self-determine their risk of COVID-19 exposure. Previously, only certain categories of higher-risk individuals were eligible for boosters under federal and state guidelines. California has asked vaccine providers not to turn anyone away who has made the self-determination that they need a booster.

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized booster doses for all U.S. adults this week, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to follow suit.

Update on Pediatric Vaccine Campaign

The county’s pediatric vaccine campaign is off to an encouraging start. More than 15 percent of the eligible children ages 5 to 11 have received their first dose since vaccines became available in early November. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their pediatrician or a local pharmacy to find a vaccine for their children now that the Centers for Disease Control and California have endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Pharmacy appointments can be made through Myturn.ca.gov. Vaccines also are available at clinics planned for school sites. Demand has been strong at the school clinics held so far. 

Sonoma County public health leaders, doctors, health care clinics, schools, pharmacies and community groups are working together to educate families about the vaccine’s safety and benefits and to ensure vaccines are distributed as quickly, safely and equitably as possible. As the vaccines roll out, parents are asked to be patient as supplies and appointments may be limited initially.

More than 40 vaccination clinics will be held at designated schools to serve people who do not have convenient or affordable access to healthcare providers. A list of clinics at schools is on the Sonoma County Office of Education website along with information for parents. Doses for those 12 and older also will be available at those clinics.

County health and education leaders are working to answer parents’ questions about the pediatric vaccine and address their concerns. The outreach campaign included a webinar in English on Tuesday by county Health Services and the Sonoma County Office of Education that gave parents an opportunity to ask questions. You can watch a replay of the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/c/CountyofSonoma/featured

Complaints Received for Face Covering Health Order

Permit Sonoma’s Code Enforcement unit has received 238 complaints about public health violations regarding the public health order requiring face coverings in workplaces and public settings since it was reinstated in early August. No citations have been issued for violations that the county is aware of. Nearly half the complaints were made in August. A breakdown of the complaints received as of Nov. 15: 

  • 78.6 percent of the complaints (187) have been for businesses, not including gyms/fitness centers.
  • 18.1 percent of those complaints (43) have been for gyms/fitness centers.
  • 92 percent of complaints were about employees and/or customers not wearing masks.
  • 5 percent of complaints were about potential positive COVID-19 cases or exposures.

Code Enforcement currently receives all complaints made by the public through the Safe707 phone line and email, as well as COVID complaints made via SoCo Connect. Complaints outside of Code Enforcement’s jurisdiction are referred to the appropriate partner agency. All complaints within Code Enforcement’s jurisdiction are investigated by a Code Enforcement inspector, who visits the property and provides information on the current public health order.

People are welcome to file non-emergency complaints via the Safe707 phone line and email, or via SoCo Connect.

Helpful Guidance for Holiday Gatherings & Travel

People planning to travel and attend gatherings over the holidays should make sure they have proper documents required by some destinations, airlines and events to prove their vaccination or testing status. According to guidance from the CDC, people who are not vaccinated should avoid travel and holiday gatherings. 

Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect you, your family and your friends from becoming infected with COVID-19 and avoid another surge in cases like we witnessed last year over the holidays.

Obtain a digital copy of your California vaccine record here:
https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ 

If you have lost your vaccine card and your digital record gives you an error, ask your primary care provider to provide you with a copy of your immunization record.

More tips for protecting yourself and others this holiday season:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Tips-for-Protecting-Yourself-and-Others-This-Holiday-Season.aspx

COVID-19 Community Resources and Support

Other County of Sonoma News