County offers boosters at fairgrounds clinic
b'December 21, 2021 \\u2013 Wondering what to get yourself or that special someone for the holidays? How about the free gift of a COVID 19 vaccination or booster shot? As Mendocino County experiences new, more transmissible COVID 19 variants, it is more important than ever to protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated and boosted to fully fortify your immune system to stave off severe symptoms of COVID 19.\\nMendocino Public Health will offer a holiday vaccination clinic at the Fairgrounds tomorrow, Wednesday, December 22 from 1-5pm for 1st, 2nd and booster doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson. Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made at Myturn.ca.gov. A parent or guardian must be present to sign a consent form for minors 12-17 years of age. \\nAdventist Health ER Doctor Drew Colfax, who has been treating COVID patients in Ukiah\\u2019s emergency room for almost two years, explains that the new variant of COVID 19, Omicron, poses a significant threat to our community as immunity garnered from vaccines decreases after 6 months, and the new variant is easily transmissible. Dr. Colfax says that a booster shot will restore waning immunity to a more robust level.\\nDr. Colfax encourages Mendocino County residents to step up and get their boosters.For those who feel that their natural immunity may provide enough protection, or that immunity garnered from a previous infection will stave off severe illness from new variants of COVID 19, Dr. Colfax warns that this will not provide protection against Omicron.\\nBooster doses for all vaccine types, Pfizer, Moderna, J and J are now available in Mendocino County for all adults 18 and up. You can visit your local pharmacy, physician or public health vaccination clinic. Appointments may be needed. For those looking for an easy, fast walk-in option, Mendocino Public health has been offering a weekly, walk-in vaccination clinic at the Ukiah Fairgrounds since July, 2021 According to officials running the program, each of these clinics averages around 300-500 people who are there to get vaccinated or, more currently, to receive their booster shot.\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\t\\n\\nAs an incentive, a $25 gift card to either Black Oak, Mama\\u2019s Cafe, U Top It, Mendocino Book Company, Gateway Games, Sword and Board or Schat\\u2019s will be given to each individual who gets a shot at the County clinic at the fairground. Remember, you do not need to be a Mendocino County resident to take advantage of this clinic. If you have out of town friends or family visiting, encourage them to join if they have not yet been vaccinated or boosted. Everyone 12 and up can enjoy this unique holiday outing!'