COVID-19 Boosters: Where To Find Them In Rohnert Park, Cotati

ROHNERT PARK AND COTATI CA — Booster shots, available at more than 20 pharmacies and clinics in Sonoma County — including in Rohnert Park and Cotati — are the best defense against COVID-19 illnesses as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads across the country, according to health officials.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant — infections among the vaccinated — are less common among people who have received their third vaccination shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The omicron variant, first reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, has been detected in all but a handful of U.S. states.

California reported its first case of the omicron variant on Dec. 1; as of Dec. 15, there were 49 confirmed cases associated with the omicron variant reported to the state.

Sonoma County confirmed Friday, Dec. 17, that at least one confirmed case of the omicron variant had been reported in the county.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said Friday the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots work well against the omicron variant and that there’s no need for a specific vaccine to fight it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the omicron variant is likely to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the coming weeks. It currently represents 3 percent of new infections.

Public health officials are concerned that vaccination rates — currently 61 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, and only 28 percent have gotten booster shots — are insufficient to fend off a fifth wave of the coronavirus. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing, with about 120,000 new cases and 1,200 deaths reported each day, mainly from the delta variant.

Sonoma County public health officials provided the below map of pharmacies and clinics offering COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots in communities across the county:

In Rohnert Park and Cotati, the Rohnert Park Health Center, 5900 State Farm Drive, 2nd Floor, offers vaccines and boosters. Call 707-559-7500 or visit phealthcenter.org for appointment availability. The Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, is another option; call 707-588-3456 for more information.

Sonoma County publishes an online calendar listing all daily opportunities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get a booster shot.

Sonoma County residents can also call 211 for information about where to get vaccinated.

The CDC says Pfizer and Moderna booster shots both provide increased protection against COVID-19 and help prevent severe symptoms in breakthrough cases.