COVID-19 UPDATES
San Bernardino County Preparing to Administer Vaccines for Children Ages 5 to 11
Now that a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel has approved the emergency use of vaccines for children ages 5 to 11, many parents and guardians in San Bernardino County are waiting to hear when the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will become available.
The County will keep people and providers aware of when the full FDA, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Western States Scientific Safety Review Panel and the California Department of Public Health give final approval to roll out the vaccines.
Preparations for San Bernardino County to vaccinate kids ages 5 to 11 with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine have been underway for several weeks.
“We know many parents still have questions and concerns about vaccinating their children, which is why we have put together a list of frequently asked questions and facts [lnks.gd] for them to research on our website,” said Public Health Director Josh Dugas. “As a parent myself, I know having this information in hand is important and will help inform people about the vaccine before they bring their children to get vaccinated.”
Here are some facts from the County’s COVID-19 pediatric webpage, sbcovid19.com/pediatric:
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
- Your child will not get the COVID-19 virus from any COVID-19 vaccine, including the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old will differ from the current product for adolescents and adults. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds will be a new product with new packaging, new product configuration (10-dose vial), different dosage and injection volume, and have a new National Drug Code (NDC). Current products for adults and adolescents cannot be used for children under 12 years of age.
- Once authorized by the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee will convene to provide their recommendation. This recommendation will be followed by an endorsement by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and California Department of Public Health, at which point the COVID-19 vaccine will become available for the authorized and recommended age group.
Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in adolescents and young adults have been reported more often after getting the second dose than after the first dose of one of the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. These reports are rare and the known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks, including the possible risk of myocarditis or pericarditis.
See the CDC’s statement on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens for further info and clinical data.
Once approved, the County will publish the information on how to obtain the vaccine on our website at sbcovid19.com. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their medical provider or pediatrician directly to find out if they are providing vaccines for children. You may also make an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or Vaccines.gov when the vaccines become available.
People having trouble finding vaccines for their children may call the COVID-19 hotline at (909) 387-3911 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
COVID-19 Booster Vaccines Approved for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved booster vaccines for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients. The County, healthcare providers, and pharmacies will administer boosters countywide as soon as they are approved by the State, which could be very soon.
Federal authorities also indicated people could mix and match the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines to improve immune response to the virus. However, the County is awaiting additional recommendations on mixing and matching brands to be released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State before action is taken locally.
Last month, the federal government announced people who are immunocompromised could receive third doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines six months following their second shot. Regulators also announced last month that people ages 65 and older, residents in long-term care settings, people 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting could get a Pfizer booster six months following their last shot.
Thursday’s announcement now means those same guidelines apply for people who previously received Moderna who have been waiting for approval to receive their booster. Also, adults 18 and older who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson may now get a booster of any brand two months after their initial shot.
The County will provide the latest booster vaccines as soon as Monday and people can make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or vaccines.gov to find a provider.
County vaccination sites offer Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, including: first dose, second dose, additional dose for immunocompromised, and a booster dose. Locations can be found here.
Moderna booster doses will be available at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center County FHC Clinic Westside, Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Moderna Boosters will be available starting Oct. 27. Appointments will be available through MyTurn.CA.gov.
County Health Centers will also be offering Moderna boosters and are located at:
- San Bernardino County Health Center, 606 E. Mill St. in San Bernardino
- Ontario Health Center, 150 E. Holt Blvd. in Ontario
- Hesperia Health Center, 16453 Bear Valley Rd. in Hesperia
- Adelanto Health Center, 11336 Bartlett Ave., Ste. 11, in Adelanto
Appointments at the County Health Centers can be made by calling 1-800-722-4777, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Moderna is also readily available at a number of pharmacies and health care providers. If you need assistance finding an appointment for your booster, please call the COVID-19 hotline at (909) 387-3911, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
City Council Meetings
The wearing of face coverings is strongly encouraged to attend in-person Council Meetings. Seating will be limited in order to practice social distancing. Community Rooms 1 & 2 next to the lobby of City Hall, will be available for overflow seating.
To provide Public Comment, you can attend in person, or email publiccomments@ontarioca.gov.
Council Meetings will be streamed online and broadcasted on your local Channel 3.
For more information, please contact the Records Management or City Clerk’s Department at (909) 395-2009 or at City Hall, 303 East B Street.
Upcoming City Council Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, November 2 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, December 21 at 6:30 PM
Yard Sale Weekend – November 5, 6, & 7
The next citywide yard sale event is this Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 7. Yard sales will only be permitted one-weekend of each quarter during the year. Yard sales are not allowed at any other time of the year. Yard sale permits are NOT required for these events!
For important guidelines and requirements, visit OntarioCA.gov/YardSales.
If rainy weather conditions exist on either Friday or Saturday of the designated weekend, garage or yard sales may be conducted on the following consecutive Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For additional information, please contact the Community Improvement Department at (909) 395-2007.
Weekly Farmers Market at Ontario Town Square
The Farmers Market is every Sunday at Ontario Town Square from 8 AM to 12 PM, rain or shine. Vendors will be on-site with local fresh produce from Certified Farmers plus Artisans with soap, candles, and hand-crafted items. Also flowers, honey, nuts, eggs, and packaged food.
City Facilities Closed on November 11, 25 & 26
City Facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. City Facilities will also be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in observance of Thanksgiving.
City Facilities that will be closed due to the holiday include: City Hall, City Hall Annex, Main and Branch Libraries, Recreation & Community Services building facilities, Utility & Customer Service Center, Municipal Utilities Company, Housing, Community Improvement, Museum of History & Art, and the lobby entrances for Police and Fire.
Police and Fire services will remain available 24/7.
Holiday Refuse and Recycling Collection Information
 In observance of Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11 refuse and recycling collection will be provided ONE DAY LATER than your normal pickup day for the remainder of the week.
In observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 25, refuse and recycling collection will be provided ONE DAY LATER than your normal pickup day for the remainder of the week.
To see the entire holiday schedule for Integrate Waste, visit OntarioCA.gov/IntegratedWaste.
Remember!
If you need to request a bin replacement, missed trash pick up, bulky item pick up, or empty roll off request -- you do not need to call our Utilities Customer Service Department. Simply fill out one of the online forms and we will assist you!
Bulky Item Pick Up Request
Empty Roll Off or Compactor Request
Missed Trash Pick Up
Container Replacement for Green Waste, Recycle and Trash
International Fraud Week – November 14-20
Fraud costs organizations worldwide an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenues, according to a study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.
The City of Ontario joins hundreds of organizations in partnering with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for International Fraud Awareness Week (November 14-20, 2021), to promote anti-fraud awareness and education.
The Ontario Police Department will be hosting an informational session on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Ovitt Family Community Library that will discuss how to protect you and your family from fraud, especially during this holiday season. Additional resources that will be shared through our City of Ontario website and social media.
Holiday Light Parade – December 3
 Join us on Euclid Avenue for an amazing Holiday Parade full of lights! FREE for all ages! Following the Holiday Parade, gather together at Ontario Town Square for the Tree Lighting Ceremony with live entertainment, crafts, and a photo with Santa!
If you would like to participate in the parade, please click here for an application.
Learn more at OntarioCA.gov/SpecialEvents or call (909) 395-2020.
Ontario 5K Reindeer Run – December 11
The City of Ontario is proud to continue its sponsorship of the Annual 5K Reindeer Run and Rudolph’s Dash that will be held on Saturday, December 11. The 5K Reindeer Run will begin and end in downtown Ontario!
The family-friendly Rudolph’s Dash will begin at the Start/Finish line of the 5K Reindeer Run and end in the Rudolph’s Roundup children’s area. Kids can run or walk this shorter course, or families may participate together. Rudolph’s Dash is geared for younger kids, moms or dads with their strollers, or anyone that wants to join the race on a smaller scale!
After the race, spend time with us in our Rudolph’s Roundup area where you can visit local businesses and race sponsors or have the kids participate in exercise activities and craft booths. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family!
All proceeds will be donated to Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars, an award winning program designed to assist Ontario-Montclair youth by helping prepare them in their journey towards a college education, and the Youth Empowerment Scholarship (Y.E.S.), which gives Ontario children from low income families the opportunity to participate in recreation programs and classes.
For more information and to register, visit OntarioCA.gov/5KReindeerRun or call the Recreation & Community Services Department at (909) 395-2020.
Christmas on Euclid Experience
The Christmas on Euclid Experience has been a tradition for thousands of visitors each year since 1922. Families are delighted each year and we invite you to join the festivities. For more information, visit www.ChristmasonEuclid.com.
- The iconic Euclid Avenue Nativity Scenes will be on display from Thanksgiving thru News Years Day in January. The twelve scenes have been a part of the community since 1958 and are free to view as you stroll along beautiful tree-lined Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California from “C” Street to “G” Street.
- Wednesday, December 1 is the Menorah Procession. All are welcome to join the Jewish community at the Ontario Town Square in showcasing the concept of instilling light in the darkness as part of the Chanukah celebration, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
- Friday, December 3 is the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ontario Town Square including holiday movies in the park, cookie decorating and a visit from Santa Claus.
- Saturday, December 11 is the Christmas on Euclid, an all-day magical festival of craft vendors, carolers, snow play, carnival rides plus live music and entertainment when historic Euclid Avenue and Ontario Town Square in Ontario, California is transformed into a whimsical winter wonderland of family activities.
Helpful City of Ontario Website Links
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