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To schedule an appointment, please visit the County vaccination page or call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State Makes Plans for Reopening and “Mega Events”
The State last week provided an update on the Beyond the Blueprint Framework for the State’s June 15 reopening. In less than three weeks, the State will clear all industry and business sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart to return to usual operations with no capacity limits or physical distancing requirements, with limited exceptions for what the State is calling “mega events.”
“This will be a big step toward returning life to normal after what will be 15 months of State restrictions,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Our county’s businesses and residents deserve all of the credit for getting us here. Their sacrifices and the safety measures they took have brought us close to defeating COVID-19.”
The State defines “mega events” as planned public or social occasions that include over 5,000 participants or spectators indoors and over 10,000 outdoors. Examples include conventions, shows, nightclubs, concerts, sporting events, theme parks, fairs, festivals, large races, and parades. Verification of full vaccination or a negative test result will be required for indoor mega events and recommended for outdoor mega events.
Verification can take the form of written or even verbal self-attestation. A person making reservations or purchasing tickets for a large group can attest on behalf of the entire group. There will be no restrictions on capacity for mega events or social-distancing requirements. Current State guidance on masks will apply to mega events.
Employers will be subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), if applicable to them, and CDPH will continue to provide updated guidance for youth, healthcare, and high-risk congregate settings.
New Interactive Online Map Shares Vaccination Sites Near You
Residents Can See Both Stationary and Mobile Pop-up Sites
In addition to 14 ongoing County stationary sites distributing doses every week from Tuesday through Saturday, San Bernardino County residents can also use a new interactive map to find any of the mobile, pop-up events happening almost daily from the valley to the deserts.
This online map dashboard shows the sites and dates of all upcoming mobile vaccination events (best seen in Chrome). The stars on the map indicate the stationary vaccine sites throughout our county.
Along with the mobile and stationary sites, there are dozens of hospitals, health centers, clinics, pharmacies and now even high schools (see accompanying story), that are offering vaccine doses.
“We have reached a point where those complacent or hesitant about getting a COVID-19 vaccine need to take action,” said County Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira. “Delaying getting your vaccine is an unnecessary risk. There is no reason not to get this shot while there is a possibility of serious illness, long-term problems or even death.”
Ongoing County-operated sites
All 14 County-operated sites operate Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All sites are offering the Pfizer vaccine and both appointments and walk-ups are accepted.
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Adelanto, Columbia Middle School (14409 Aster Rd.)
- Apple Valley, Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church (affiliated with Providence St. Joseph Health, 18386 Corwin Rd.)
- Bloomington, Ayala Park Community Center (18313 Valley Blvd.)
- Fontana, Jessie Turner Health & Fitness Community Center (15556 Summit Ave,)
- Hesperia, Hesperia Health Center (16453 Bear Valley Rd.)
- Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain College (6162 Rotary Way)
- Montclair, Montclair Place (5060 E North Montclair Plaza Lane)
- Ontario, Ontario Convention Center (2000 E. Convention Center Way)
- Rancho Cucamonga, Inland Empire Health Plan (10801 6th St.)
- Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Cucamonga Sports Complex (8303 Rochester Ave.)
- Rialto, Grace Vargas Senior Center (1411 S. Riverside Ave.)
- San Bernardino, National Orange Show Event Center (689 South E St.)
- Victorville, Hook Community Center (14973 Joshua St.)
- Yucaipa, Yucaipa Senior Center (12202 1st St.)
People who walk-up to a vaccination site should be prepared to register in person, which will include answering health-screening questions. Appointments can be made for all sites at sbcovid19.com/vaccine.
Hospitals, health centers, clinics and pharmacies
In addition to the above ongoing County-operated vaccine sites, many hospitals in San Bernardino County have vaccines on hand, as well as several clinics and health centers.
Individuals can use the County website or go through their physician groups associated with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Health, San Antonio Regional Hospital, Mountains Community Hospital, Redlands Community Hospital, Bear Valley Community Healthcare or the San Bernardino Clinic.
In addition, Moderna vaccines are being given at the San Bernardino County Health Centers in San Bernardino, Ontario, Hesperia and Adelanto.
Finally, there are participating pharmacies administering doses throughout the county, including Albertsons, Costco, Ralphs, Rite-Aid, Sav-On, Vons, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as many independent pharmacies. Individuals should check directly with their preferred, neighborhood pharmacy, or again, check the list at sbcovid19.com/vaccine.
High School Vaccination Campaign Off to Roaring Start
San Bernardino County’s effort to expand vaccinations by teaming up with local high schools is proving to be a rousing success — helping the County inoculate young people and residents living in some of the County’s most hard-hit neigborhoods and far-flung locations.
While primarily focused on vaccinating people between the ages of 12 and 15, the program is open to any student, family member or community member.
“This has been a tremendous partnership and perhaps our single most successful vaccination initiative,” said Interim Public Health Director Andrew Goldfrach. “Bringing vaccines to local neighborhood schools, rather than making people travel to vaccination sites, is enabling us to vaccinate even some of our most hesitant residents.”
Ted Alejandre, the County Superintendent of Schools, agrees. “This campaign has shown to be popular among parents and students alike and it’s helping reassure people about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This effort will go a long way to ensuring safety in the classroom and helping us return to normal.”
According to Goldfrach, the high schools’ targeted communications efforts, which have largely focused on reaching each school’s students and their parents, have been extraordinarily successful.
“The schools have been very effective in reaching people and persuading them to get a shot,” he said. “That, in turn, is having a big impact on our overall vaccination rates. Now that our senior population is reaching 70% vaccination rates, we can turn our attention to all adults and teens.”
Goldfrach said the campaign is also having a notable impact on the County’s health equity measures.
“To take just one example: vaccination rates in Bloomington, one of the County’s most hard-hit areas, are now at 90%,” he said. “Moreover, this campaign is helping us inoculate people in remote locations like Needles and Trona.”
Vaccinations are being administered by medical professionals from the County Department of Public Health and Office of Emergency Services, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Health and Redlands Community Hospital. Residents can pre-register on MyTurn.ca.gov or simply walk up to get a shot. Students or others under the age 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of vaccination to provide written consent.
County Nearing Milestone on Senior Vaccinations
As most people know, COVID-19 has been particularly hard on persons over age 65, who are more likely to have serious illness, long-haul symptoms and risk death if contracting the virus.
A major goal has been to vaccinate a strong majority of this population, with CDC recommending a threshold of 70% in this critical demographic. San Bernardino County has fully vaccinated 67% of its residents 65 plus, and 78% are at least partially vaccinated.
“This is one of the first major milestones based on populations within the county that we have met, and it’s a good sign we’re on the right track to reach this milestone for other demographics,” said County Interim Public Health Director Andrew Goldfrach. “However, if you are a senior still unvaccinated – or a caretaker of one – please take the time get yours.”
In addition to information and access to COVID-19 vaccines, the County is dedicated to helping seniors and at risk individuals to improve or maintain choice, independence and quality of life. This includes a full suite of services for our seniors including nutrition services, employment assistance, health insurance counseling and advocacy, behavioral health and wellness services, in-home services financial support and adult protective services for protection against abuse.
These services and more can be found on the website for the Department of Aging and Adult Services at http://hss.sbcounty.gov/daas/.
El Sol Offers Free Rides to Vaccination Sites
El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, which has served the community in many valuable ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, will start offering free rides to vaccination sites around the Inland Empire. This is an effort to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines in rural, underserved communities that face transportation barriers.
“We are very excited for this program as we are aware that there have been issues with transportation among our communities,” said El Sol Executive Director Alexander Fajardo.
To request a ride, call El Sol's COVID-19 helpline at 800-901-5541. The helpline also has the most up-to-date vaccination site locations, connecting community members to the closest vaccination site available to them.
For organizations that would like to schedule Uber rides directly, a training session will be offered at no-cost. For more information, please email Isaac Mendez at isaacmendez@elsolnec.org.
Organizations and residents are encouraged to share this information with their families, friends, and communities through flyers in both English and Spanish.
County Celebrates Mental Health Month with Virtual Celebrity Event
The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is bringing mental health into the limelight through virtual events including the 17th Annual Evening with the Stars. The virtual event celebrates Mental Health Month by honoring deserving individuals, agencies, and programs who are making a difference in behavioral health.
The event’s keynote speaker will feature Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and member of Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams. Williams will share her battle with mental illness and how she took charge of her mental health and well-being. People are invited to stream the event on either the DBH Facebook or YouTube page on Friday, May 28 at 6 p.m.
Ms. Williams recorded this special video invitation encouraging San Bernardino County residents to participate in the event.
May is Mental Health Month, a time for the community to rally behind the importance of mental health, stigma reduction, suicide prevention, and the fact that treatment works and recovery happens. Learn more about our Mental Health Month events at www.celebrateMHM.com.
Stigma surrounding mental illness discourages individuals and families from seeking help. Together, we can bring mental health to the forefront of conversations and encourage others to seek help when they need it. For more information on behavioral health services and/or resources in our county, visit www.sbcounty.gov/dbh.
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
A total of 1,003 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, and all of the inmates have recovered.
A total of 1,034 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and 1,023 of the employees have recovered from the virus. Other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks. It is unknown when or where the employees were infected with the virus. The department continues to encourage all department members to heed the warnings of health officials.
Latest Stats
297,688 Confirmed Cases (up 0% from the previous day)
4,545 Deaths (up 0% from the previous day)
3,221,705 Tests (up 0.1% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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