Attention all Meeks Bay/Tahoma Residents:
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Residential Chipping Service Ending Soon for 2021 |
The chipping crew has been committed on wildland fire assignments, and catch-up efforts are scheduled to take place in all neighborhoods in our service area from October 6th-9th. The chipping crew will attempt to chip any remaining pile in any neighborhood within North Tahoe Fire, Meeks Bay Fire and Alpine Meadows service areas starting on October 20, 2021, with a goal to complete all remaining chipping by the end of October.
The last day to make a request for the 2021 chipping season is October 11, 2021.
Keep in mind that NTFPD must receive an online request for us to provide this free service. If you have a pile that has not been chipped, please submit ONE final request no later than October 11, 2021. Late requests will not be chipped.
Submit your chipping request by going to www.ntfire.net/defensible-space-chipping and clicking "Curbside Chipping Sign-up" to complete the form.
Community Action Council Seeks New Member
The El Dorado County Community Action Council currently has a member vacancy
within the Community Sector Membership category. The Community Action Council is seeking to fill the vacancy with an individual or agency to represent the interests and concerns of people and families with low incomes living in El Dorado County, with a special focus on housing, nutrition and low-income program needs. Priority will be given to representatives of community organizations that demonstrate a commitment
to advancing the purposes and activities of the Council.
The Community Action Council acts in an advisory capacity to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency about needs of the community relating to human services for low-income residents of the County. The Council provides for collaboration of local government, private organizations and citizens serving the most vulnerable populations.
Representatives of community agencies that serve El Dorado County’s low-income residents are encouraged to apply. This is a volunteer, unpaid position. Meetings are virtual. Once in-person meetings resume, the meetings will held in Placerville.
The deadline to submit membership applications is November 15, 2021. For an application, please contact Star Walker at (530) 621-6255, or send an email to star.walker@edcgov.us.
County Prioritizes Public Health Clinics for COVID-19 Vaccinations, Provides Information About Boosters
The El Dorado County Public Health Division is prioritizing its public health clinics
for those who still need their first and second dose of the vaccine.
About one third of eligible El Dorado County residents are currently unvaccinated against COVID-19, according to County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams. “We want to remind people who are unvaccinated that they are still at risk of infection,” said Williams. “The benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential risk, and the vaccine is readily available in the community,” said Williams.
On September 24, 2021, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine for certain people who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. California followed by updating its vaccination guidelines to recommend a booster shot in alignment with CDC’s recommendation. Currently, the booster shot is only available from Pfizer.
The priority groups for the booster shot are people 65 years of age and older, long-term care residents 18 years or older, and 50- to 64-year-olds who have underlying medical conditions or who are at increased risk due to social inequity, including that of communities of color. Others who may consider obtaining booster doses include 18- to 49-year olds who have underlying medical conditions, and 18- to 64-year-olds who work or live in high-risk settings such as a shelter.
“People whose immunity has waned since receiving their initial vaccine series may see great benefit from a booster dose,” said Williams. “El Dorado County residents who completed their two-dose vaccination series with the Pfizer vaccine at least six months earlier, believe they meet criteria, and wish to receive their Pfizer booster dose should inquire with their own healthcare provider or a pharmacy that is offering booster doses.”
El Dorado Community Health Centers offer booster shots on Fridays and Saturdays, along with the first two doses to qualified individuals. Barton Health is providing vaccines at Barton Family Medicine and Barton Community Health Center for established patients who meet criteria. Shingle Springs Health & Wellness is offering booster doses to newly registered and established patients who qualify. Marshall Medical Center is planning booster clinics with dates and times to be announced shortly.
“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19, whether it is your first dose(s) or a booster dose is important for the protection of our communities, individuals and their families,” said Williams. “I am especially concerned that those who have underlying health issues and/or work in high risk settings get vaccinated.”
According to the CDC, health conditions that can make individuals more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 include:
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-
severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions (e.g., heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
• Substance use disorder
The CDC also has listed the following workplaces and/or jobs that are high-risk for COVID-19:
• First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections workers
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers
To find a COVID-19 vaccine: Search https://www.vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, go to myturn.ca.gov, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you throughout the U.S.
For more information regarding the COVID-19 booster shot, see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
For California Department of Public Health guidelines for boosters and additional doses go to
https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#Booster-shots-and-additional-doses
For CDC announcement about booster recommendations go to
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html
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Pfizer Booster Doses |
It remains critical that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Californians complete their primary series of vaccines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and its more severe outcomes. As nearly all cases of severe disease, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among the unvaccinated, vaccinating these at-risk persons remains the most important way to move beyond this pandemic.
Although we continue to see highly effective protection against hospitalizations and severe outcomes for fully vaccinated people, we see a decrease in vaccine effectiveness against infection within specific populations, which is why the FDA has authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine to specific populations.
Your Questions, Answered
Who is eligible for booster vaccinations?
On September 24, 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended the following people should receive booster doses at least six months after completing their initial Pfizer series:
In addition, CDC and Western States recommended the following people may consider receiving a booster dose:
Which vaccines are covered by the emergency use authorization for booster doses?
Currently, only Pfizer BioNTech vaccines have been granted an extended EUA to allow for booster vaccine doses at least six months after the second vaccine dose.
What if someone received a Moderna or Janssen vaccine initially? Should they get a Pfizer vaccine series?
At this time, mixing vaccine brands is not recommended. All vaccines continue to show a high level of protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death if you experience a post-vaccination COVID-19 case.
What is the difference between boosters and the recently authorized additional doses for immunocompromised individuals?
Persons whose high level of immunity has decreased over time are being offered booster doses to maintain protection. Booster doses are very common and are a normal part of most vaccine series.
Persons whose level of immunity after an initial series of vaccine is weak, such as immunocompromised individuals, are being offered additional doses to strengthen their protection.
When should I receive a Pfizer booster dose?
Booster doses should be administered at least six months after an individual has completed their initial vaccine series. They do not need to be administered exactly at six months, but it is recommended that eligible individuals receive a booster to ensure they maintain a strong immunity against COVID-19.
Is a booster dose the same amount of vaccine as doses in the original vaccine series?
Yes, the booster doses will be the same dosage as the first and second in the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine series.
How does someone find and receive a booster dose?
Boosters will be available through all current channels, including healthcare providers, clinics and neighborhood pharmacies. Californians can visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 to make an appointment or find a nearby vaccine clinic.
Will digital vaccine records be updated to show that individuals have received a booster dose?
Yes, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record has been updated and will show that a booster vaccine dose has been administered. Your vaccine record will not automatically update, so a new version will need to be downloaded to reflect that you have received a booster dose. We recommend waiting 14 days for your new dose to show up in the California Immunization Registry.
Does receiving a booster eliminate the need for further harm-reduction precautions?
No, even with an extra dose of a mRNA vaccine, harm reduction precautions are still prudent to keep all Californians safe. Vaccines are not 100% effective, and youth under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so taking precautions such as wearing a mask protects Californians from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
Should pregnant individuals receive a booster dose?
Pregnant persons 18-49 years old are eligible and are encouraged to discuss their individual benefits and risks of booster doses with their medical providers.
Should lactating individuals receive a booster dose?
If a person is recommended for a booster dose for other reasons, lactation does not change that recommendation. If a person is not recommended for a booster dose for other reasons, lactation by itself does not qualify the person for a booster dose.
How do we know booster doses are safe?
Booster doses went through the same thorough scientific review process as the initial vaccine series, with trial data from all over the world being reviewed and considered when making a recommendation. The vaccines, including booster doses, are safe. CDC has published additional data on the safety of additional doses given in the US during August and September.
What side effects should be expected after receiving a booster dose?
The side effects from booster doses should be the same mild side effects experienced when receiving the initial vaccine dose. A sore arm at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms are normal and demonstrate that your body is rebuilding immunity to COVID-19.
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