Santa Clara County residents with compromised immune systems can now get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine free of charge.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 2.7% of the population of the United States is immunocompromised, including organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, and those with other immunodeficiencies. This population is more likely to become infected with COVID-19, even after vaccination, compared with similarly vaccinated but otherwise healthy individuals. They are also more likely to become severely ill due to COVID-19.
A third dose is available for moderately or severely immunocompromised who have had either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The newly expanded FDA authorization does not extend to individuals who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. The additional dose will be matched to the initial vaccination type. The recipient must have completed the initial vaccination series 28 days or more before the third injection.
People with diabetes, heart disease, or who are elderly are not considered to be moderately to severely immunocompromised unless they have another condition that causes them to be immunocompromised to the same extent as someone who had a solid organ transplant. Those unsure of whether they fall into this very narrow category of being moderately to severely immunocompromised should consult with their doctor or a medical professional.
Eligible individuals are encouraged to contact their primary healthcare provider for consideration of the additional dose. Appointments can also be scheduled now through the County’s website sccfreevax.org, which also includes information about numerous drop-in vaccination sites throughout the county, including local pharmacies.
If you have not been vaccinated yet, please do so. Anyone ages 12 and older who lives or works in Santa Clara County is eligible to get vaccinated.
Youth between 12 to 17-years old need to provide a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian. For County-operated sites, the consent form is available here.
There are multiple opportunities to get easily vaccinated throughout Santa Clara County without any appointment necessary.
You can also get vaccinated at pharmacies throughout the County, including many Walgreen's, CVS, and Costco locations.
The easiest and most efficient way to make a vaccination appointment is at www.sccfreevax.org. That website also includes the most up-to-date information about who is eligible for vaccination and how to get vaccinated.
Residents without access to the internet can make vaccination appointments by phone for the County Health System vaccine sites through 2-1-1 or the Valley Connection Call Center at 408-970-2000.
The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4:30pm. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and multiple other languages.
It is important for those who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 to continue getting tested regularly, even after getting vaccinated.
Testing is more accessible than ever, with mobile testing buses going to new neighborhoods each week and saliva collection offered at pop-up sites to provide an easier, less invasive experience.
The most up to date list of testing locations can be found at www.sccfreetest.org. Appointments can also be made there. All test sites are mapped on that website. The site is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.
The County provides COVID-19 tests free of charge, regardless of immigration status, and no doctor’s note is needed. For people without COVID-19 symptoms, the County currently offers indoor and drive-through sites. People with symptoms are directed to drive-through sites to reduce the chance of getting others sick.
Appointment-based testing continues at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, with rotating appointment-only sites every week at cities throughout the County.
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Free COVID-19 Appointment Testing
- Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Expo Hall (Gate D):
- 2542 Monterey Rd., San Jose
- Wednesday, August 18, from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, August 19, and Friday, August 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Click here to schedule an appointment.
Free COVID-19 Drop-In Testing
- South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary):
- 9300 Wren Avenue, Gilroy
- Thursday, August 19, and Friday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Emmanuel Baptist Church:
- 467 N. White Rd., San Jose
- Wednesday, August 18, through Friday, August 20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Residents can make appointments (often same day) and find more testing locations throughout the County at www.sccfreetest.org or by calling 2-1-1.
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Santa Clara County COVID-19 Case Numbers, Hospital Capacity, and Testing Dashboards Can Be Found Here
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Coming Out Exhibit at History San Jose Extends Hours for Silicon Valley Pride
Coming Out: 50 Years of Queer Resistance and Resilience in Silicon Valley, the exhibit at History San Jose which traces five decades of challenges and joys for the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Clara Valley, will have expanded hours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day through August 31st in conjunction with Silicon Valley Pride.
The exhibit is free but reserved times are needed. You can find more information about the exhibit and reserve a time slot here.
Retired Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, who curated the exhibit, will give a free talk at noon on August 27th about the planning and collaboration that went into building Silicon Valley‘s first inclusive LGBTQ+ history museum exhibit. Hear the stories behind the rich cultural and political artifacts on display. Space is very limited due to COVID restrictions. Registration is required. Book your free ticket online at https://tinyurl.com/fwskam94.
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The Santa Clara County Library District and County of Santa Clara, in partnership with SVCREATES, have opened the application process for the position of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate for 2022-2023.
The Poet Laureate is an honorary post whose responsibilities are to elevate the awareness of Santa Clara County residents around poetry, and help celebrate the literary arts.
Six Poets Laureate have served to date: Nils Peterson (2009-2011), Sally Ashton (2011-2013), David Perez (2014-2015), Arlene Biala (2016-2017), Mike McGee (2018-2019), and the current title holder, Janice Lobo Sapigao.
Sapigao has led online poetry writing workshops on mental health for teens, aimed at helping them cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also actively represented the County in the world of the arts, including lending her voice to celebrations of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and drawing attention to social justice topics that intertwine with the arts and conversations happening in the creative community. Sapigao was a 2020 Poet Laureate Fellow with the Academy of American Poets and used fellowship funding to create the first Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate Program.
Eligibility Criteria for the Santa Clara County Poet Laureate
- The Poet Laureate will be available to serve a two-year term.
- The individual will be a current Santa Clara County resident who has resided in the County for the past three years and has been published or recognized for poetry and literary contributions.
- The individual’s poetic interests respond to, or represent, the diversity of arts and cultures in Santa Clara County.
- The individual has demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry and embraces the opportunity to engage with the community through the arts.
The Poet Laureate will not be considered an employee of the County of Santa Clara and will continue to have individual pursuits. They will be expected to attend several key poetry-related events across the County, which will be shared by SVCREATES and County staff.
Duties of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate
Undertake projects throughout the Santa Clara County community that will make poetry more available and accessible to people in their everyday lives, including:
- Design and lead events and participate in activities in Santa Clara County for National Poetry Month (coordinating with Poetry Center San Jose). Must include some activities outside of the City of San Jose.
- Act as a resource for poetry and literary activities of the Santa Clara County Library District, including readings, presentations, and workshops. Up to 25 hours per year, in coordination with and supported by SCCLD staff.
- Participate in readings and speaking engagements for the County Board of Supervisors, other County departments, Santa Clara County cities, and other community events. May include selecting and presenting appropriate works at dedications, or memorials. Up to 25 hours per year, as determined and scheduled through SVCreates.
- Attendance at SVCreates board meetings, serving as ex-officio special assignment to SVCreates board. Five meetings per year.
- Serve as a judge for the Poetry Out Loud County finals, coordinated through SVCreates.
- Readings/events for the local community as designed by and at Poet Laureate’s discretion, in collaboration with Poetry Center San Jose. Minimum of two per year.
- Actively participate in social media activity related to Poet Laureate events and projects.
The Poet Laureate will receive a stipend of $4,000 per year, which will be used to compensate their time to fulfill the duties listed above, plus a budget of $1,000 per year for reimbursable expenses related to their activities.
The application deadline is September 24, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
The selection process will be administered by SVCREATES. Applications will be peer-reviewed by established poets by October 2021. Interviews with finalists will be conducted and completed in November 2021. The recommended Poet Laureate will be announced at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors in January 2022.
All application materials will be submitted through the SVCREATES online grant portal. If you need a special accommodation for application submission outside of the online submission process, please contact Alyssa Erickson at SVCREATES: alyssae@svcreates.org or 408-998- 2787, ext. 204.
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