Q: I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. When can I get a booster shot?

Booster shots are not yet authorized for people who have received the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines. We will share information in our weekly newsletter, on our website and on social media about where and when booster shots are available if they become authorized for use. All COVID vaccines continue to be very effective at preventing hospitalization and death even for those who have not yet received a booster shot.

Q: Case numbers are going down. When will the mask mandate end?

At this time, we are not able to give a specific date on when the indoor face covering Order may be lifted. The current Order for Stanislaus County states that it will be lifted 24 hours after the seven-day average case rate drops below 20 cases per 100,000 per day. For the sever-day period ending on October 1, 2021 the average case rate is 28.5 per 100,000. However, cases are continuing to decline, as are hospitalizations. This shows that an increase in the number of people wearing a face covering indoors has been successful in helping to reduce the impact on our local healthcare system.

Q: One of my elderly relatives is homebound and wants to get her booster dose of Pfizer. Is there a way that Public Health can help her?

Yes, we can help her! This service is available at no charge to people who are homebound who are eligible for a booster shot of Pfizer. It’s also available to people who are homebound who want their primary vaccine series of Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson; and for people with a weakened immune system who want a third dose of Moderna or Pfizer.

There are a couple of ways that she can request a vaccinator to come to her home. She can go to myturn.ca.gov and select “yes” on the question “I need help with transportation to a vaccine clinic, or I need a home appointment.” After registration, someone will contact her. Or, she can call the COVID Information Line at 209-558-7535.