Press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Nineteen new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Humboldt County today, bringing the total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus to 4,730. 

Health officers from the Rural Association of Northern California Health Officers (RANCHO) issued a statement this week urging unvaccinated community members to reconsider their decisions to delay or forego getting vaccinated. “The science and the evidence are clear that [the vaccines] are safe, effective, and are protecting those who have been vaccinated,” they noted. 

RANCHO, which includes health officers from 10 counties including Humboldt, released a statement July 14, addressing common misconceptions around vaccination that linger despite mounting scientific evidence. 

“As your regional health officials, we view that as extremely concerning and would like to weigh in on some common myths,” they wrote. 

Myth: “I have had the virus, so I won’t get it again.”
Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines result in higher levels of protection, while immunity from past infection is unpredictable.  

Myth: “Getting the vaccine is worse than getting COVID-19. Plus, I’m young and healthy.”
Fact: COVID-19 vaccination is much safer, effective and predictable than the infection, regardless of your age.

Myth: “The vaccine is experimental, and it was rushed into use.”
Fact: The science used to create COVID-19 vaccines is decades old, is not experimental and hundreds of millions of people who’ve received the vaccine are proof it is safe and effective.

Myth: “The vaccine will make me sterile.”
Fact: There is no data to support that COVID-19 vaccines reduce fertility. 

Myth: “The vaccine will mess around with my DNA. Somebody is trying to rewrite our genetic code.”
Fact: COVID-19 vaccines can’t change your DNA. Their only long-lasting effect is to protect you from COVID-19 infection in the future.

Myth: “We don’t know what the long-term consequences of these vaccines are.”
Fact: Long-term adverse effects of the vaccine are unlikely, but we are definitely seeing long-term effects from COVID-19 infection itself, even in those who had mild to no symptoms.

RANCHO also reminds residents that getting vaccinated protects children who are too young to be vaccinated as well as community members who are immunocompromised. 

To read further details dispelling common vaccination myths, see the complete RANCHO statement.

Vaccine continues to be readily available at Public Health clinics and at most local pharmacies. Walk-ins are welcome at all Public Health clinics, or sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov. See the clinic schedule for the next seven days below.

McKinleyville – Monday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Azalea Hall (1620 Pickett Road)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Eureka – Tuesday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eureka Boat Launch (1701 Waterfront Drive)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Fortuna – Wednesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
River Lodge Conference Center (1800 Riverwalk Drive)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Arcata – Thursday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Arcata Transit Center (925 E St.)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

Redway – Friday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dean Creek RV Park (4112 Redwood Drive)
Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children as young as 12 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for those 18 and older.

To check availability of these vaccines, as well as Moderna, at local pharmacies, visit vaccines.gov or text a ZIP code to 438829 to find a participating pharmacy nearby. Most pharmacies allow walk-ins. 

View the Humboldt County Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download today’s data.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.

 Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check for vaccine availability at a local pharmacy: Vaccines.gov
Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/Dashboard
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert 

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