Sonoma vax count: one million doses and counting

One million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered in Sonoma County.

The Department of Health Services said Friday that a total of 1,000,594 doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered in Sonoma County since the vaccination campaign began in December of 2020. That includes first, second and booster doses.

A total of 376,946 residents, or 80 percent of the 5 and older population who are eligible for the shot, are now fully vaccinated. Another 34,900 residents are partially vaccinated, equivalent to 8 percent of the eligible population in Sonoma County.

The county has distributed booster doses to 215,806 residents so far, or 63 percent of the 12 and older population eligible for a booster shot.

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, 74 percent of the eligible population in California and 65 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated.

“One million doses is an amazing accomplishment for a county of our size,” said Dr. Urmila Shende, Sonoma County’s vaccine chief. “But more importantly, today we celebrate the impact of each individual dose of vaccine. Every time someone receives a vaccination, they dramatically reduce their chances of getting COVID-19, of transmitting it to someone else and of becoming severely ill or dying. Countless people are alive today because they got vaccinated.”

Because of this high level of protection, Sonoma County has 58 percent fewer deaths per 100,000 residents than the state average and 25 percent fewer COVID-19 cases than the state average.

“This achievement is the result of a lot of hard work over the last 14 months, and shows what we can do as a community when we come together to face our greatest challenges,” said Tina Rivera, director of the county Department of Health Services. “I’m grateful to all of our health care partners who helped make this happen.”

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. 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.

Walk-ups for first and second doses are accepted at most clinics and pharmacies. The public also is invited to come to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa to receive a free vaccination or booster. The Fairgrounds clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

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.