SAN JOSE, CA – The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) released a statement promoting the importance of continuing proven COVID-19 health and safety mitigation strategies in schools as the holiday travel season approaches and new COVID-19 variants emerge.
“It is crucial for schools to continue to maximize health and safety protocols such as universal masking, routine testing and social distancing when appropriate as public health officials continue to learn more about the new COVID-19 Omicron variant and how it spreads in communities,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D. “Along with vaccines and boosters, these steps are essential to maintaining in-person instruction, support, and after-school activities in our schools.”
With the holiday travel season approaching, eligible students and family members are encouraged to receive their COVID-19 booster or vaccine as soon as possible. The booster is appropriate for almost everyone ages 18 and older, 6 months following the last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or 2 months following the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Additional information on the vaccine and upcoming clinics can be found at www.sccfreevax.org. Mobile and pop-up vaccine clinics are being held across Santa Clara County to ensure all those eligible have access to the vaccine. As it has been throughout the pandemic, vaccinations are provided at no-cost. Health insurance is not required and immigration status is not asked.
The health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families continue to remain a top priority. Questions regarding vaccines, boosters, and COVID-19 variants can be directed to healthcare providers and clinics. An FAQ fact sheet is also available at https://covid19.sccgov.org/public-health-order-faq.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.