The end of pandemic restrictions is in sight for Californians, as mask mandates will soon be eased and more children become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
Nearly 7% of all San Joaquin County residents who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine opted not to come back for the second.
Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are administered in a two-dose series, with patients needing to return for a second inoculation three to four weeks after receiving their first dose. Johnson & Johnson, the third COVID-19 vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use, is administered in one dose.
As San Joaquin County lags behind the state s overall vaccination rates, Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park said the county has shifted part of its focus to an important group the partially vaccinated.
Arena opened for J&J, will continue with second doses
After confirming the mass vaccination hub was closed and scheduled to reopen on March 10 for second doses, the Stockton Arena reopened earlier than planned to roll out one-shot doses of Johnson & Johnson by appointment or walk-ins.
A Kaiser representative confirmed second-dose appointments for Pfizer and Moderna will continue from May 10-23 as scheduled, before the site closes permanently.
Anyone wanting a vaccine then can schedule an appointment or walk-in based on Johnson & Johnson supply availability that Kaiser may have after this week.
Unsure if you’re able to get your shot at the arena then? Your best bet would be to check myturn.ca.gov for appointment availability with them or at other locations in the county.
San Joaquin County has seen an uptick in both newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations from the virus as California s overall case rate continues plummeting.
County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that San Joaquin County would remain in the red tier of California s color-coded COVID-19 reopening blueprint for the fourth week in a row. The county previously spent months in the purple tier, the state s most restrictive COVID-19 classification, following a post-holiday surge in December that threatened to overwhelm hospitals.
Park told the board Tuesday she would have liked to have been able to present a more favorable report.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning to discuss and consider a whole host of issues, such as funding for housing affordability, COVID-19 and a gas pipeline franchise.
San Joaquin County public health officials were scheduled to provide the biweekly update on the status of COVID-19 in the county. While the state is set to fully reopen in June, county Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park said last month the county could see further restrictions lifted before then if testing rates continue to increase and case rates decrease.
A public hearing was held for the county s 2021-22 Action Plan, which consists of the Community Development Grant, Home investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant programs.