Weekly Update - May 13, 2021 |
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Children Ages 12-15 Now Eligible For Covid-19
Vaccination in Contra Costa County
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Children between the ages of 12-15 can now get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at all county-run clinics.
The County is expanding eligibility after the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommended Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for use in this younger age group. Previously, the Pfizer vaccine was only approved for people ages 16 and older.
The County is partnering with the Contra Costa County Office of Education, local school districts, and Kaiser Permanente to host vaccination clinics at various middle schools and high schools in the coming weeks. Please see the schedule of school vaccination sites below.
“Every student who receives a vaccine is a hero, who protects themselves, and their family, teachers, and friends,” said Lynn Mackey, Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools. “We appreciate the school superintendents and principals across the county who are stepping up to host vaccine clinics on their campuses. Easy access matters to high vaccine rates and to healthy communities.”
Nearly 700,000 county residents ages 16+ have received at least one dose of vaccine already. About 65,000 residents in Contra Costa fall between ages 12-15.
Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for use by those who are ages 12-17. The other two COVID vaccines in the United States made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still only available to people ages 18 and older.
Contra Costa County will provide a vaccine to any eligible person regardless of whether they are a county resident or not. No appointment is needed, although people can still schedule one if they prefer by going to covidvaccine.cchealth.org or by calling 833-829-2626. The state also offers appointments at myturn.ca.gov.
When coming to our vaccination clinics, we recommend that minors be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian cannot be present, we ask for written consent or, when that is not feasible, we may accept verbal consent over the phone. A consent form is available at cchealth.org.
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Free COVID-19 Vaccines Coming to Local School Campuses |
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Contra Costa Health Services, Kaiser Permanente, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education are partnering with local schools to make sure everyone can get a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for anyone who is 12 or older, and to help our families find a convenient vaccination opportunity, some local school sites are hosting no-cost clinics. See the schedule and locations below.
Everyone is welcome, including students who are 12 or older, family members, and members of the community. No appointment is necessary, but appointments are also available through the county’s scheduling page or by calling 1-833-829-2626.
The vaccine approved for 12-18 (Pfizer) requires two doses to provide full protection, so new patients at school clinics will receive follow-up appointments. All three vaccines will be available at each site.
People younger than 18 need permission from a parent – send in the consent form for your child, located here, or come in person, especially if you need a vaccine too!
Information and scheduling will also be available for required school immunization booster vaccines, such as Tdap.
Getting vaccinated is the most effective way of protecting ourselves, our families, and other students from getting COVID-19. As we prepare for next fall, let’s all do our part to keep our schools healthy and safe.
School Campus Vaccine Clinics Schedule
The following school-based vaccine clinics are currently scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Clinic dates and locations are subject to change.
- May 18-22: Antioch Middle, Concord High.
- May 25-May 29: Edna Hill Middle (Brentwood), Pinole Valley High (Pinole), Pittsburg High, Ygnacio Valley High (Concord)
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June 1-June 5: Acalanes High (Lafayette), Dallas Ranch Middle (Antioch), Freedom High (Oakley)**, Iron Horse Middle (San Ramon), Kennedy High (Richmond), Mt. Diablo High (Concord)
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June 8-June 12: Antioch Middle, California High (San Ramon), Concord High, De Anza High (Richmond), Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek), Liberty High (Brentwood)
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June 15-June 19: Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon), Edna Hill Middle (Brentwood), Pinole Valley High (Pinole), Pittsburg High, Ygnacio Valley High (Concord)
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June 22-June 26: Acalanes High (Lafayette), Dallas Ranch Middle (Antioch), Freedom High (Oakley)**, San Ramon Valley High (Danville), Mt. Diablo High (Concord), Kennedy High (Richmond)
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June 29-July 3: De Anza High (Richmond), California High (San Ramon), Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek), Liberty High (Brentwood)
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July 6-10: Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon)
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All County-run Vaccine Sites Now Accepting Walk-ins
Without Appointments
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Last week, all county-run vaccination sites began accepting patients with and without appointments.
This continues our efforts to remove barriers to vaccination and make the process as easy as possible.
People can schedule vaccine appointments online or by calling 833-829-2626. All county-run vaccination sites are now accepting both patients with and without appointments. Bring friends and family with you to get them vaccinated too!
Contra Costa Health Services is now offering a new mobile vaccination service for residents who are homebound. Residents, caregivers, or other helpers can use this Homebound Resident Vaccine Request form to ask for the service online or call 1-833-829-2626.
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Free Rides are Available to COVID 19 Vaccine
Sites Through Uber and Lyft
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The White House announced a new partnership with ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to make all rides to and from vaccination sites free. The feature will launch in the next two weeks and run until July 4. This is part of the effort to meet the goal of 70 percent of adults getting at least one vaccine dose by July 4.
People who want to use the program would need to select a vaccination site near them and then redeem the companies' offer of a free ride. The two ride-sharing firms will promote the offer in their apps.
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Contra Costa Will Follow the State’s Mask Guidance |
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Contra Costa County is aligned with the state, relaxing mask requirements for people who are fully vaccinated. Contra Costa will not adopt anything more restrictive.
The new requirements include:
- People who are fully vaccinated can go without masks outdoors, except in crowded settings such as concerts, sporting events, street fairs, and similar settings.
- Fully vaccinated people can visit indoors or outdoors without face coverings with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for COVID-19.
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Do You Still Have Questions About the Safety of the Vaccine? |
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Millions of people around the world have been safely vaccinated. The vaccines are approved with an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a new technology, but not unknown. It’s been studied for more than a decade.
- mRNA from the vaccine does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA.
- mRNA vaccines do not contain a live virus and do not carry a risk of causing disease.
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FCC Providing Discounts For Eligible Households |
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The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit to help individuals, families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The E Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Eligible households can also receive a discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
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2021 Summer Bike Challenge |
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Looking for free summertime recreation that is fun for the whole family? Check out 511 Contra Costa’s Summer Bike Challenge.
June-August, riders of all ages can explore their hometowns on two wheels. Simply bike to each destination and cross off the squares as you go. Pick up free prizes on select dates, take weekly Bonus Challenges, and enter the iPad Grand Prize Drawing. Ready to roll? Visit 511cc.org/go to get started.
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Nominate a Contra Costa Business for the
East Bay Innovation Awards
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We want to recognize Contra Costa Innovators! The East Bay Innovation Awards is the premiere program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation and unique assets. Entering its ninth year, the annual awards ceremony showcases outstanding organizations that embrace innovation in their manufacturing, products, services, design, and information.
Nominate your Contra Costa or East Bay Innovators today! Submission deadline is Friday, May 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please use the online form to submit your nomination. To help you draft your answers, you can download the complete sample nomination form at: EBEDAawards .
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Blueprint for Safer Economy - Dimmer Framework - Why isn't Contra Costa County in the Yellow Tier?
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Contra Costa County remains in the Orange (Moderate) Tier, to read the State's updated business and activity schedule, go to Dimmer framework
The Governor has indicated that he will be “opening up” California on June 15 and potentially eliminating the colored tiers. Contra Costa's Health Department does not think we will enter the Yellow Tier before then because we have hit a plateau of approximately 5 cases per 100,000 for several weeks, and we don't seem to be moving downward as other counties have.
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Moraga-Orinda Fire Chief Winnaker Offers Recommendations
to Reduce the Risk of Wildfire
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As we transition from the 4th driest winter in California’s history and into what will be a lengthy and potentially damaging fire season, MOFD is asking for all residents to do their part to protect our community from the risk of uncontrolled wildfire. While our community is protected by highly trained and well-equipped firefighters, we need your HELP to create defensible space around structures and to clear large lots of combustive fuel. The creation of this defensible space through the removal of dangerous vegetation is not only a best practice, but is a requirement of the fire code. Please ensure your property is compliant with the following elements no later than 1 June:
- Annual grass and weeds cut to 3” or less
- Dead or dying trees removed
- Roadside clearance maintained to remove any overhanging vegetation to at least 15’ measured vertically
- Ladder fuels removed on parcels less than 1 acre and within 100’ of the property line for large parcels
- Trees maintained to create at least a 6’ air gap between the ground and/or ground fuels
- Combustive ground cover, to include mulch, removed within 2’ of all structures
- Vegetation planted within 2’ of a structure maintained to create at least a 1’ air gap between foliage and the ground
- Roofs and gutters kept clear of leaves and needles
MOFD’s fire prevention staff will begin enforcement of the Fire Code on 1 June; we urge you to immediately bring your parcel into compliance as the best way to reduce our community’s risk of wildfire loss.
Deadlines for weed abatement & defensible space are May 16 for east County residents & May 26 for all others.
For more on protecting your family, home & neighbors, visit wildfireprep .
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Would You Like To Serve On The Advisory Council On Equal Employment Opportunity? |
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The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one (1) vacant Community seat open to applicants. The successful candidate must reside within Contra Costa County and have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. except for holidays.
The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Contracting Programs and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The Council reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, and race/ethnicity.
The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has thirteen (13) seats representing the following groups: 4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.
Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunities |
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Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. 2020 saw our advisory bodies pivot to virtual meetings, which is continuing well into 2021. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.
If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
Alternate Seat
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
Alternate Seat Available
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determines the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. one alternate seat available)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
Mental Health Commission-Family Member Seat click here
To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services which are effective, efficient, culturally relevant and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who are in need of mental health services.
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