The Valley Chronicle - Week of Action: CDPH Encourages Full Family Vaccination

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is encouraging entire fam_x0002_ilies – from young kids to grandparents – to get vac_x0002_cinated, complete their vaccination series, and get a booster as part of its November week of action. With the state’s simplified booster recommendations, all Californians are encour_x0002_aged to get their booster, as long as they are 18 or older and got fully vaccinated at least six months ago.

devastating for California, and it is critically import_x0002_ant that all eligible Califor_x0002_nians protect themselves against COVID-19 and the flu ahead of the winter months. “The FDA’s recent autho_x0002_rizations of the Pfizer vac_x0002_cine for children ages 5-11 and boosters for all U.S. vaccine manufacturers are game changers,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “By fully vaccinating every eligi_x0002_ble Californian and pro_x0002_viding boosters to those who are eligible, we can protect ourselves and our friends and family by keep_x0002_ing our immunity against COVID-19 strong heading into the winter months and holidays.”

To promote full family pro_x0002_tection, CDPH and local partners are leading a week of action from November 15 to November 21 against the pandemic, which in_x0002_cludes mobile vaccination clinics around the state and other outreach efforts to motivate all eligible family members to get vaccinat_x0002_ed. Prominent California public health officials and leading medical experts are also discussing the impor_x0002_tance of full family vacci_x0002_nation in appearances with media outlets and on social media events.

The week of action is one part of California’s on_x0002_going commitment to fighting this deadly vi_x0002_rus. The state’s Vaccinate ALL 58 campaign recent_x0002_ly launched a new me_x0002_dia campaign to promote vaccinations for children ages 5-11 and will launch public service announce_x0002_ments featuring California Surgeon General Dr. Burke Harris and Dr. Ilan Shap_x0002_iro this week. These videos are part of a multi-pronged media campaign that in_x0002_cludes digital, social, radio, TV, print and out-of-home advertising, all aimed at reaching the state’s most vulnerable communities to encourage vaccination and boosters. The state is also continuing its partnership with ethnic media, working with more than 200 non-English me_x0002_dia outlets throughout the state to reach California’s diverse communities. This includes the release of Dr. Burke Harris’ “On the Re_x0002_cord” ethnic media column urging parents and guard_x0002_ians to vaccinate their children ages 5-11 against COVID-19 ahead of holi_x0002_days. Altogether, the part_x0002_nership will result in tens of millions of opportuni_x0002_ties for non-English speak_x0002_ing Californians to learn more about the importance of vaccines in November alone.

Vaccinate ALL 58 is also continuing its robust part_x0002_nerships with communi_x0002_ty-based organizations, working closely with them to address vaccine hesitan_x0002_cy through door knocking and outreach, scheduling vaccine appointments, and providing transportation options. To date, the state’s community-based network has connected with more than three million Cali_x0002_fornians through phone banking, has canvased over 700,000 households, and facilitated or referred over one million appointments in vulnerable communities throughout the state. As the state heads into cooler months with more gatherings moving indoors, CDPH is strongly urging unvaccinated Californians to get vaccinated and those who are partially vaccinat_x0002_ed to complete their vacci_x0002_nation series. Booster doses are also available to help Californians keep their im_x0002_munity strong. All eligible individuals are encouraged to get a booster to protect themselves, their family and to celebrate the holi_x0002_days together safely. CDPH also recommends Californians receive a flu vaccine, which can be ad_x0002_ministered on the same day as a COVID-19 vaccine.