Public Health
Update
Vaccine Hesitancy: Help Us Reach Our Shared Goal BY DR. MAGGIE PARK, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER; AMY RHOADES, MPH AND CHERYL LAUGHLIN As we approach the end of 2021, we are also heading toward nearly a 70% vaccination rate here in San Joaquin County among eligible residents, ages 12 or older, with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Compare this to the state’s overall rate of just over 80% of eligible California residents fully or partially vaccinated and we can all appreciate the progress so far but the need to push those vaccination numbers higher.
Throughout the vaccine rollout, San Joaquin County regularly lagged in vaccination rates compared to the state, particularly among certain zip codes and demographics. This chart shows vaccination data by race/ethnicity over the past year. Latinx and Black populations show the lowest vaccination rates and highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths throughout the pandemic. Helping these underserved groups is even more vital as we focus on the final push toward higher vaccination rates in the county.
Community Partnerships Make a Difference
Source of data: California Department of Public Health
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SAN JOAQUIN PHYSICIAN
San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) values our partnerships with a wide range of community- and faith-based organizations, who are vital connectors in our county. Throughout this pandemic, we have all rallied to make vaccines available and to get messaging and services to hard-to-reach areas. For example, PHS works with community partners
WINTER 2021
