City of West Sacramento

 

 

 

 Yolo County News Release:

Yolo County is administering Pfizer booster doses after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommended members of certain population groups receive a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after receiving their second Pfizer dose. Booster doses are currently only available for those who received Pfizer vaccine. Residents who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines will have to wait for these boosters to authorized and made available.

 

A booster (third) dose is recommended for individuals in the following groups who completed their 2-dose primary series of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago:

• Age 65 years and older or residing in a long-term care facility, or
• Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions

 

Booster doses have also been authorized for those who completed their 2-dose series of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago and are either age 18 through 64 with underlying medical conditions, or age 18 through 64 and at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting. There is less evidence to support the need for boosters in these groups, and individuals are encouraged to discuss with their health care provider whether they would benefit from a booster at this time. Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include:

 

• First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections workers
• Postal workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers

 

“Pfizer boosters are now available, but there is no need for everybody to rush out to get a booster vaccine,” said Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. “Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine still protect very well against severe disease, hospitalization, and death in most people. We have seen some drop in the protection against hospitalization in older adults over time, which is why we are recommending a booster for those over 65. While booster doses add protection for those already vaccinated, we are continuing our efforts to vaccinate the unvaccinated. Getting more people their first and second doses of vaccine is the most important step to ending this pandemic. We are taking steps to ensure the unvaccinated can easily get vaccinated even as booster demand increases, including through our home vaccine delivery program and without an appointment at County vaccine clinics.”

 

Pfizer booster doses are available at several locations in Yolo County, including retail pharmacies (Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS) and primary care provider offices and clinics. Yolo County offers doses for those without other access to booster vaccines. Appointments for booster doses can be scheduled using the State’s MyTurn system. To receive a booster dose at a Yolo County clinic, residents need to bring proof that they received two Pfizer doses at least 6 months before and are asked to bring their white paper vaccine card so that it can be updated. Individuals who are 65 or older or unable to leave their homes can have a booster vaccine delivered to them through Yolo County’s call-to-order vaccine program. To schedule an appointment to have vaccine delivered, residents can call (530) 902-3230. To schedule an appointment in Spanish, call (530) 379-3465. To schedule an appointment in Russian, call (530) 902-0721. The program delivers vaccine between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and will continue beyond September.    

 

The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are highly effective at preventing infections, hospitalizations, and death resulting from COVID-19 infection. Residents 12 and older who are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 

For more information about Yolo County’s COVID-19 vaccine program and opportunities to get vaccinated, visit www.yolocounty.org/coronavirus-vaccine. Residents can also call Yolo 2-1-1 for related information and resources.