TO: All Employees
FR: Joyce Lopes, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration and Finance, and Missy Brunetta, Director for Emergency Services and Associate Risk Manager
As California continues to make progress in providing the Coronavirus vaccine to the community, we still continue to see progression of COVID-19 in Sonoma County. Sonoma State has continually supported the County of Sonoma Coronavirus pandemic response, and we strongly encourage our faculty and staff to continue efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19. To help stop this pandemic, we need to stay vigilant and continue to work together by following Sonoma County and CDC guidelines regarding how to protect ourselves and others.
With that said, we would like to share SSU’s preliminary plan for Coronavirus vaccination of campus employees in hopes it helps answer some questions you may have. The information in the plan provided below is subject to change. As a reminder, vaccination is elective. However, we strongly encourage our campus community members to vaccinate if they are able to do so once they are eligible.
In consultation with local Public Health, SSU will be using state and local guidance to help determine in which phase of the roll-out plan employees are eligible for vaccination. The University will base an employee’s vaccination eligibility only on their risk of exposure from their working environment. However, employees may be eligible for vaccination before their workforce eligibility due to outside employment, age, or underlying health conditions. Employees should consult with their primary care physician for eligibility information.
Sonoma County has assigned coordination of vaccination scheduling for educators to the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). SSU Office of Emergency Services is working directly with SCOE to address vaccination scheduling for our on-campus faculty and staff. Employees will receive a direct email from SSU’s Office of Emergency Services when the county moves into the tier in which they are eligible to receive the vaccine. SSU will not be providing vaccinations to employees. Employees will need to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider or through SCOE when they are notified they are eligible to be vaccinated.
Vaccine Distribution: State and local authorities are continuing to evaluate vaccine eligibility, prioritizing medical workers and persons over the age of 65. Employees of schools and universities will be placed in various priority categories based on guidelines that are in development by the county and state. At this time, we are certain that employees who frequently work on campus will be eligible for vaccination at some point during Phase 1. We will continue to share additional information about when university employees may be vaccinated as we learn more.
Employees with questions about this vaccination plan should contact the Office of Emergency Services. Additionally, you may find FAQs, information, and resources about the COVID-19 vaccine on the County of Sonoma website at SoCoEmergency.