Wine Country Times

Sen. Bill Dodd recently praised Gov. Gavin Newsom's partnerships with faith-based groups in order to broaden inoculation efforts following a statewide extension of vaccination eligibility that increased the number of vaccinated Californians to 50%.

California achieved this milestone one day after extending vaccination eligibility on April 15, with 50% of Californians aged 16 and older now having received at least one dose, according to a press release.

"We're halfway there! Fifty percent of Californians 16+ now have at least one #COVID19 vaccination shot. Thanks to @GavinNewsom for expanding inoculation efforts through faith-based organizations and places of worship. #VaccinesSaveLives #VaccineEquity," Dodd Tweeted.

Gov. Newsom worked with over 200 faith-based groups to expand vaccination efforts, distributing over 38,000 vaccine doses in total

“Our partnerships with community-based organizations and faith leaders are the reason why folks throughout California, no matter what zip code they live in, have access to vaccines – especially in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” Newsom said.

The partnership supported over 180 local, community-based organizations, whose members served as trusted experts in COVID-19 education, testing and vaccination.

“Our congregation is honored to partner with the state on making vaccines more accessible to our community,” said St. Mark Parish Administrator Reverend Rubén Morales. “During this pandemic, we’ve provided food distributions to keep our neighbors fed—we’re thankful for the support to build on this work with life-saving vaccinations to protect our members and the community of Richmond.”

The governor's plan expands the efforts of the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to assist in the distribution of over 13,500 doses via 15 mobile clinics set up at churches in Los Angeles and Oakland.

Approximately 24 million doses have been distributed throughout the state, with 5 million doses administered in the most severely affected areas.

In addition, the state is launching community-based faith-based programs to reach out to black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Latino faith groups as part of the overall COVID-19 harm mitigation campaign.