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Press Release

Effective Saturday, March 6, Mono County will expand immediate vaccination eligibility to include individuals aged 50 years or older, AND individuals aged 16 and older with certain underlying medical conditions that pose increased risk for severe illness related to COVID-19 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This expansion is in addition to individuals currently in Phase 1A & 1B of the State’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) vaccine plan. This expansion is possible because Mono County has made good progress in the initial phases of the State’s Vaccine Plan.

All Mono County residents who want to be immunized need to pre-register for vaccination, regardless of whether you are immediately eligible. Second homeowners and visitors are currently not eligible to receive the vaccine in Mono County. 

Mono County is vaccinating individuals 50 years or older (regardless of occupation), and individuals in the following employment categories:

  • Healthcare
  • Emergency Services (police, fire, Search and Rescue, county and town public works staff)
  • Education and Child Care (Must be a California licensed Child Care Provider)
  • Food and agriculture (grocery store, restaurant and agriculture workers, as well as individuals involved in food distribution)

In addition to these categories, Mono County is vaccinating residents (16 years or older) who are at the very highest risk from COVID-19 because they have the following severe health conditions :

  • Cancer, current with weakened immune system
  • Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
  • Chronic pulmonary disease (severely oxygen dependent)
  • Down syndrome
  • Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
  • Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease (history of stroke or TIA)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
  • Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
  • Liver disease
  • Overweight (BMI > 25kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
  • Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus

If you are at higher risk for serious illness, you should take extra precautions to protect yourself by adhering to the following:

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine, a safer way to build immunity
  • Stay home. It’s the most important thing you can do
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick. Isolate anyone sick in your home in a separate room, if possible
  • Get food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks. Wipe off containers with disinfectant wipes
  • Listen to public health officials. They may recommend community actions to reduce exposure in times of local outbreak

Individuals with any underlying medical condition (including those conditions that are NOT on the current list) should consult with their healthcare providers about personal risk factors and circumstances to determine whether extra precautions are warranted.

All Mono County residents who want to be immunized need to pre-register for vaccination, regardless of whether you are immediately eligible.

If you are unable to complete the vaccine questionnaire online or you have questions, please send an email to [email protected] or call (760) 924-1830 and be prepared to leave a short message. Once clinics are scheduled for your category, you will receive an invitation at the appointed time to register for your first and second vaccination clinic. The invitation will come from [email protected]

Please do not arrive at any clinic unless you have an appointment.  Any “extra” vaccine at a given clinic will ONLY be offered to individuals pre-registered as next in line by Public Health.

At the vaccination clinic, please be prepared to show proof of Mono County residence or employment. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Driver’s license/Real ID
  • DMV or Post Office Change-Of-Address
  • Employment paystub
  • Note from employer
  • Employee ID
  • Any document that verifies you as a Mono County, full-time resident (second homeowners are currently not eligible to receive the vaccine in Mono County)

In addition, a Public Health Nurse will be screening individuals with listed underlying medical conditions on site.  A note from your healthcare provider describing an individual’s underlying medical condition is preferred, but not required.

VACCINATE MONO WEBSITE
For updated Mono County COVID-19 vaccination information, community resources, a vaccine dashboard, immunization schedule, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), informative videos and more, please visit the Vaccinate Mono website or click on the syringe graphic on the homepage of the Mono County COVID-19 Portal.

Together we can end the pandemic.

Cover. Distance. Wash. #StaySafeToStayOpen #VaccinateMono

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