Sonoma Valley Hospital and Sonoma Valley Community Health Center report administering 6,745 first-dose Covid-19 vaccinations through late February. Of these, 70 percent of the doses were made available through the efforts of Sonoma Valley Health Partners (SVHP), our local partners who include the Sonoma Valley Fire District, City of Sonoma, Schell-Vista Fire Protection District, Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund, Sonoma Valley Unified School District, and the Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund. We are grateful for strong volunteer spirit of our community and thank Sonoma Valley Rotary, La Luz Center, Vintage House, and the many community volunteers.
Without the support and encouragement of SVHP, we would not have been able to set up the drive-through clinics at the high school so quickly and administer as many vaccines as we did. We want to thank the Partners and the many community volunteers for their support of the clinics in recent weeks. The drive-through clinics were invaluable in stepping up to fill the gap while the County and State’s Departments of Public Health developed their plans for vaccine delivery throughout the County.
Local vaccinations have shifted to the clinic run by Sonoma Valley Community Health Center at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in the City of Sonoma with continued SVHP support.
Those who received their first dose at the recent Sonoma Valley High School vaccination clinics, are scheduled to receive their second-dose vaccinations at the high school (March 7, second dose of Pfizer; March 27, second dose of Moderna). If you do not have an appointment for your second dose or have questions, please email community@sonomavalleyhospital.com or call (707) 935.5257 if you do not have internet access.
FUTURE DISTRIBUTION PLANS AND COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS:
With the FDA giving emergency-use-authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine we look forward to seeing the supply of vaccine in the County begin to stabilize and availability grow with the expanded eligibility criteria. We encourage those seeking their first dose to sign-up and register with MyTurn (www.myturn.ca.gov). MyTurn is becoming the statewide platform for every Californian to use for scheduling. Once registered, you will be notified when clinics in your area are open.
Retail pharmacy sites, such as CVS will continue to provide vaccines and larger mass vaccine sites such as the Oakland Coliseum will also continue to be an option.
Here in Sonoma Valley, SVHP continues to support the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center managed site at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Continue to visit and bookmark the Sonoma Valley Health Partners web page for updates: www.sonomavalleyhospital.org/svhp or sign up to receive email notifications from the Hospital at www.sonomavalleyhospital.org/subscribe.
TESTING AND DAILY PRECAUTIONS
Testing for COVID-19 continues to be a high priority as it has been documented that 40-45% reported cases are asymptomatic. There are several no-cost testing clinics and pop-up centers throughout the County, please visit www.socoemergency.org for more information about testing and vaccine clinics.
We will continue to reinforce the messages coming from the CDC, Dr. Faucci, the County, and our own Chief Medical Officers – continue to wear a mask, practice safe distancing, and wash your hands frequently. Sonoma County is beginning to show a downward trend in hospitalizations and positive cases reported with fewer deaths because we are all making the extra effort. It’s working, so let’s continue to make a difference.
THANK YOU
The County reported that as of February 28, 74 percent of those Sonoma county residents 75 and older have been vaccinated. Here in Sonoma Valley, this is largely due to the efforts and commitment from Vintage House, La Luz Center, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, and the City of Sonoma. They have made a special effort to reach our elders and citizens that do not have digital means or internet access. If you know of anyone 75 and older without digital access or internet access, become their champion or direct them to any of the listed organizations.
When you continue your resilience, you encourage us to do the same. Together we are making the difference to reduce the spread and fully reopen our schools, businesses, clinics, and more.
Thank you.