Residents age 50 and older and those who are immunocompromised are now eligible to receive a second booster of the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at county-sponsored clinics as well as at local pharmacies and healthcare providers in Sonoma County.
Under guidance approved this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and the California Department of Public Health, the boosters are authorized for everyone 50 and older, as well as those who are immunocompromised, as long as it’s been at least four months since they received their first booster dose.
Immunocompromised individuals age 12 to 17 are only eligible to receive a second booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
People who qualify under the federal guidelines should contact their primary care doctor, local pharmacy or visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule a booster shot.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone age 5 and older, and booster shots are available for everyone age 12 and older.
As of Wednesday, 81 percent of Sonoma County residents aged 5 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 64 percent have had a booster shot.
The 5 to 11 age group is the least vaccinated in Sonoma County with 41 percent fully vaccinated. And while 74 percent of those age 50 and older have received a booster, just 54 percent of those ages 12 to 49 have had a booster shot.