Press release from the Humboldt County Public Health Division:

Nearly 10,000 Humboldt County children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Initial shipments of the pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been delivered to some local pharmacies, pediatric offices and Humboldt County Public Health. Parents seeking to vaccinate their children are encouraged to reach out to their pediatrician or a local pharmacy.

Just over 7% of the county’s total reported COVID-19 cases, or 685 cases, were among the 5 to 11 age group. Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said authorization of the vaccine for those children is another step toward ending this pandemic.

“We’ve seen cases in this age group increase over the last few months with the rise of the Delta variant, and we want to do everything we can to keep kids in school and keep them and their families healthy,” Dr. Hoffman said. “Data from the clinical trials and other recent studies have shown that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for kids, and that it reduces hospitalizations in all age groups, including kids.”

Public Health is planning to hold vaccination clinics for the 5 to 11 age group sometime in the next few weeks. Once details are finalized, appointments will be required and will be available on the state’s vaccination portal MyTurn.ca.gov. Appointments for additional Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination sites for this age group can be made on MyTurn starting Thursday, Nov. 4.

Humboldt County Public Health has reported today 24 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 9,414 the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus.

As of Tuesday, Public Health and other local vaccinators have administered a total of 159,071 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Local vaccination data has been updated on the Humboldt County Data Dashboard (humboldtgov.org/dashboard). Highlights include:

• Since the last weekly report on Oct. 27, 737 vaccine doses have been administered and 375 additional residents have completed their vaccine series.
• A total of 79,772 residents, or just over 67% of the county’s population age 12 and older, are fully vaccinated.
• Just over 6% of the population age 12 and older has received one dose is partially vaccinated. [Note: Staff with the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to the Outpost that the original text here was an error.]

Completion of any of the approved vaccine series offers the highest protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, according to the CDC. People who remain partially vaccinated are strongly encouraged to complete the vaccination series to achieve full protection.

Humboldt County’s vaccination and testing services are available free of charge. Those who receive their first or second dose of vaccine at a Public Health office in Eureka, Willow Creek or Garberville can choose a $25 Renner Petroleum or Coming Attractions Theatres gift card. Incentives are offered on a first-come, first-served basis at those locations only.

Due to an increase in demand for additional doses and boosters, appointments are recommended for most vaccination clinics and required at Public Health Main in Eureka. Sign up in advance at MyTurn.ca.gov.

See the schedule below for specific vaccination and testing clinic dates, times, locations and available services:

Eureka — Thursday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     College of the Redwoods Gym (7351 Tompkins Hill Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Blue Lake — Friday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Blue Lake Resource Center (111 Greenwood Road)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Saturday, Nov. 6, noon to 4 p.m.
     Eureka Migrations Street Festival (At the corner of 2nd and E streets)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Saturday, Nov. 6, 5 to 8 p.m.
     Arts Alive! (231 Second St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Sunday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Eureka High School (1915 J St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available

Eureka — Monday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Main Office (529 I St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     No testing available
     Appointments required
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

Willow Creek — Tuesday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (77 Walnut Way)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

Garberville — Wednesday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed from noon to 1 p.m.
     Public Health Office (727 Cedar St.)
     Pfizer/Johnson & Johnson/Moderna
     PCR and rapid testing available
     $25 gift card for those receiving a first or second dose

Vaccines, including boosters, are widely available at local pharmacies. To check the availability of a specific vaccine, visit the vaccines.gov page, or text a ZIP code to 438829 to locate a nearby pharmacy offering vaccines.

View the Data Dashboard online at humboldtgov.org/dashboard, or go to humboldtgov.org/DashboardArchives to download data from a previous time.

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 1-707-441-5000.

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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