We have partnered with the state of California and Blue Shield in making vaccine appointments available on myturn.ca.gov.
Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to register and you will be notified when you become eligible.

Information about the COVID-19 vaccine:

When will the Covid-19 vaccine be available to me and how can I get it? 

  • Due to the limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine available right now, it is being made available in phases to different segments of the population based on risk factors. We do not yet have a precise timeline for when the vaccine will be available to groups in different phases/tiers. 
  • For updated information and details about the Sonoma County Vaccine Distribution Plan please visit:   https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/ 

Why should I get the vaccine? The shot will help protect you from being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the infection that causes COVID-19) and, even if you get infected, it will help prevent you from developing symptoms of severe COVID-19. Getting the vaccine reduces your risk of becoming ill, seriously ill, or dying from COVID-19. The vaccine may also decrease the chance you could pass the virus on to someone else (see below). When enough people receive the vaccine, we will reach what’s called herd immunity. Herd immunity will help protect everyone from COVID-19. However, before we reach that point, we will still need to keep doing all the things we were already doing to protect ourselves: wash hands frequently, social distance, and wear masks.

What is an mRNA vaccine? 

  • mRNA is a guide for making proteins.  It is not DNA or RNA. The piece of mRNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain NO virus, they contain copies of the instructions to make the “spikes” on the outside of the coronavirus.  The spike is the ‘key’ that the virus uses to get into our cells.
  • When we get the vaccine in our arm, our cells assemble the virus spike proteins.
  • The vaccine mRNA falls apart fast naturally and is deleted quickly.
  • Our cells put the spikes they make onto their cell membranes, where they are noticed by surveillance immune cells.
  • The immune system cells make antibodies and teach our B and T cells to recognize the spikes, so when SARS-CoV2 comes along, our immune system is already prepared and will protect us.
  • New York Times Article – How Moderna’s vaccine works 

What are the mRNA vaccines available? 

  • Pfizer:
    • 2 doses, 21 days apart (requires very cold freezers)
    • 95% effective (50% efficacy 3-4 weeks after 1st dose, 94% 3-4 weeks after second dose)
    • Does not contain eggs, preservatives or latex Link to full Pfizer Vaccine ingredients
  • Moderna:
    • 2 doses, 28 days apart (more stable, requires regular freezers)
    • 94% effective (80% efficacy 3-4 weeks after 1st dose, 94% 3-4 weeks after second dose) 

Was the vaccine rushed?  No.  The mRNA vaccine technology was developed in 2003 for SARS-CoV-1 virus (another coronavirus).  This technology has been used for other vaccines, including influenza, RSV, and Zika.  Chinese scientists provided the genetic sequence for SARS-CoV-2 in January 2020, which US scientists used to create the SARS coronavirus template.  Clinical trials started in February. This, plus more money invested more quickly than for any other vaccine, allowed for rapid development and safety testing. More more answers to common questions about the vaccine, visit Doctors For America’s FAQ

COVID-19 Information