« Return to list of archived Health Orders | See list of Health Orders currently in effect »
TO: General Acute Care Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities (including Subacute Facilities), Intermediate Care Facilities, Acute Psychiatric Hospitals, Adult Day Health Care Centers, Adult Day Programs licensed by California Department of Social Services, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and PACE Centers, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals, Clinics & Doctor Offices (including behavioral health, surgical), Senior Care Facilities licensed by the Department of Social Services, Dialysis Centers, Hospice Facilities, Hospice Workers in Senior Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities, Pediatric Day Health and Respite Care Facilities, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities, Psychiatric Health Facilities, Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities, Pharmacies, Home Health Care Workers, Dental Offices, Adult and Senior Care Facilities, In-Home Direct Care Settings, and those covered by Amendment No. 3 to the Mandatory Influenza Vaccination.
RE: Regional Centers and their service providers – Strong recommendation in lieu of mandate
On October 1, 2021, Sonoma County Public Health issued an influenza vaccination order to require all persons working in certain specified health care settings and congregate care facilities to receive an annual influenza vaccination, subject to medical exemptions and religious accommodation, no later than November 15, 2021. (http://socotestpsa.org/order-of-the-health-officer-of-the-county-of-sonoma-mandatory-influenza-vaccination-of-workers-at-health-care-facilities/)
On October 21, 2021, Sonoma County Public Health amended the influenza vaccination order to allow multi-county health systems implementing a mandatory influenza vaccine program across their system until November 30, 2021 to comply with the Health Officer Order requiring certain health care workers and workers in certain health care facilities to receive the influenza vaccine.
On November 4, 2021, Sonoma County Public Health amended the influenza vaccination order to expand the order to include all workers subject to the CDPH COVID-19 Order dated September 28, 2021. All workers covered by the CDPH COVID-19 Order must receive an annual influenza vaccination, subject to medical exemptions and religious accommodation, no later than November 30, 2021.
This Amendment clarifies that it was not the intent to include Regional Centers and their service providers, as described in the CDPH mandatory Covid-19 vaccine order dated September 28, 2021, in Sonoma County’s mandatory flu vaccine order. However, the Health Officer strongly recommends that a Regional Center servicing Sonoma County require its employees and service provider workers who provide direct consumer service to be vaccinated against influenza.
Legal Authority:
The Health Officer has the authority to “take measures as may be necessary to prevent and control the spread of disease within the territory under their jurisdiction” (Health and Safety Code §120175 et seq.).
Order:
The following persons are not mandated by this order to receive an influenza vaccination, but are strongly encouraged to do so: regional center employees, as well as service provider workers, who provide services to a consumer through the network of Regional Centers serving individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
For any additional questions, please contact Sonoma County Public Health, Disease Control Unit, at PHNurse@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-4567
Thank you for your role in flattening the curve and protecting our county’s most vulnerable residents.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD MPH
Health Officer of the County of Sonoma