Booster- The CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 yrs and older should get it in at least 5 months after their initial series. People 18 yrs and older, may receive a Moderna booster shot at least 5 months after their second dose. Please note that at the moment, people 6 months -17 years old who received a Moderna Covid shot DO NOT need a booster. People who received a J&J dose can receive a booster 2 months after.  

A second booster has been approved by the CDC and the FDA for people 50 years and older, at least 4 months after their firs booster.

Additional Dose- Moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 6 months and older who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional dose at least 8 weeks after their second dose, and people ages 6 months and older who completed their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional dose at least 28 days after their second dose.

For questions, email us at community@svchc.org or call us at 707-939-6070.

Thank you for being a fundamental element of our community!

National Health Center Week (August 7-13 ) is a week full of events to celebrate the mission and accomplishments of health centers over the past five decades, in America.

Health centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in our communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year, we invite you to celebrate the roles that our clinic and other community health centers have played in both, our recent moments of loss and triumph.

In addition, we invite you to honor front-line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic.

From the very beginning of the crisis, Community Health Centers began finding innovative ways to provide preventative and primary care to those in need. 

Health centers celebrate this week by showing appreciation to patients, stakeholders, and staff in addition to serving Public Health in Housing, and offering Healthcare for the homeless, Agricultural Workers, and Children.   

HAPPINESS HAPPENS MONTH

• Once upon a time, a real group called the Secret Society of Happy People decided to dedicate a day to the pursuit of happiness. Members of the society wanted to let happy feelings linger inside them every day. In 2000, the Secret Society of Happy People expanded the celebration to Happiness Happens Month in August.

• Happiness is a choice. Remembering happiness does not mean you are problem free. That kind of life doesn’t exist. As the Stoics of Ancient Greece observed, happiness is all about the quality of your thoughts. Happiness is not a destination, but rather a life-long pursuit. Joy can be anywhere at any time. Don’t limit yourself to searching for pleasure. Enjoy everything and anything that makes you happy.

There is no one preventive health measure more important than immunization.

As the World Health Organization notes, the international medical community has endorsed the use of vaccines and immunization to prevent and control a number of infectious diseases, as well as chronic diseases caused by “infectious agents.”

Vaccines are necessary to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Herd immunity is when a certain percentage of immunized people in a community reaches a level where everyone (including those who are too young or too sick to be immunized) gets some degree of protection. It’s important that as many people as possible get immunized. It’s very risky to the health of other children to rely on herd immunity to protect your non-immunized child.

By forgetting or opting to skip booster vaccinations, you are undercutting the effectiveness of herd immunity for both your own family and the community at large.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Check with your doctor about the vaccination needs for your family. Find out how to spread the word about the importance of vaccination and immunization in your community. 

The Back-to-School Health Fair 2022 was a memorable and great success. Thanks to your support we were able to provide over 600 backpacks to local students!

SVCHC would like to express its gratitude to its CEO Cheryl Johnson, its Board Members, the Back-to-School Committee, Community Partners, the amazing group of volunteers, the generous sponsors, and everybody who made this meaningful event possible.

We wish the students of Sonoma Valley a successful year full of growth, learning, and memorable adventures!

Don't forget to follow us on our social media platforms, where you will find videos, resources, and information about current topics. Don't forget to subscribe and spread the word! 

IF YOU ARE 50 OR OLDER – YOU MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE HEALTH COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDI-CAL EXPANSION.

The Department of Health Care Services has implemented the following changes in Medi-Cal:

• Medi-Cal Expansion for Adult Beginning May 1, 2022, Medi-Cal full-scope benefits will be provided to all individuals age 50 or older, regardless of immigration status, who meet Medi-Cal income eligibility requirements. Previously, individuals without legal status only had access to restricted scope Medi-Cal. Individuals will automatically be transitioned into full-scope Medi-Cal on May 1, 2022.

• Medi-Cal Postpartum Care Expansion As part of the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA), effective April 1, 2022, an individual eligible for pregnancy and postpartum care services under Medi-Cal or the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) is entitled to a total of 12 months of postpartum coverage.

• Medi-Cal Public Health Emergency Phase Out The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency from 2020 is beginning to unwind. Thus Medi-Cal recipients will begin to receive renewal packets in order continue Medi-Cal coverage. It is important for recipients to notify the county of any of the following changes: mailing address, contact number, household size, or income.

*If you are deemed potentially eligible, visit our website and fill out the contact form and a member of the SVCHC eligibility team will reach out to you within 48 hours to assist you with completing your Medi-Cal enrollment application. You may also contact us at (707) 939-6070. (SVCHC does not make the Medi-Cal enrollment determination however; SVCHC assists patients with submitting their application for approval. Note: U.S. residency status is not required to receive Medi-Cal benefits. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

· Appointments for SVCHC W.I.C Office must be made via phone prior to visits. Please call 707-565-6590.

· Food Distribution is at SVCHC every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Distribution hours are from 8:45 am-9:45 am or until supply lasts. 

· Visit the Sonoma County Website for more info about Covid-19 vaccine clinics and testing.

To find more community resources available click the button below

“It is not how much you give, but how much love you put into giving.”

 ~Mother Teresa



Thank you for investing in health for Sonoma Valley children, families, and seniors.

Sonoma Valley Community Health Center has been on the front lines, providing care to our neighbors since 1992. Low-wage jobs, minimal health benefits, and the high living cost mean too many of our neighbors lack access to affordable health care. We spend approximately $1 million each year on providing care to our patients who are under or uninsured. Thanks to generous, community-minded people like you, we can ensure that all of our neighbors have access to quality care.

Thank you for your support!

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Sonoma Valley Community Health Center | Sonoma, CA

Mission: To provide accessible quality health care to those who need it, especially the underserved.

Vision: To be recognized as a leader in providing Patient and Community-centered care in collaboration with other organizations.

707-939-6070 * www.svchc.org * community@svchc.org