Community briefs

Vax populi

Santa Clara County Supervisors Joe Simitian and Otto Lee have called for the continuation of the county's COVID-19 vaccination program to serve residents regardless of insurance, location or ability to pay.

As of March 1, vaccinations are available for existing patients and the uninsured, and only at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center facilities.

“With only about a third of county residents receiving the latest bivalent booster, we need to make vaccines more available,” said Lee, whose district includes Sunnyvale.

Since vaccine distribution began in late 2020, the county has distributed almost two million doses at pop-ups and permanent sites throughout the county.

Simitian, who chairs the county's Health and Hospital Committee, and Lee, the committee's vice chair, asked county administration to return to the committee on April 12 and the Board of Supervisors on April 18 with a plan to continue distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to those who want them. Simitian noted this could be an opportunity to offer a COVID-19 vaccination program modeled after the county's seasonal flu vaccine program, which focuses on the most vulnerable patients.

Embracing Equity

To celebrate International Women's Day, Rotary District 5170—which includes the Sunnyvale club—is hosting an “Embrace Equity” event March 19, 4-7 p.m., at the Rotary San Jose Summit Center, 88 S. First St.

The event features a wine and apps reception, a Rotary project fair and a panel discussion moderated by Suzanne St. John Crane, CEO of the American Leadership Forum. Panelists include Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of San Jose State University; Lisa Gauthier of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group; and Dr. Hilary Nixon, deputy executive director of SJSU's Mineta Transportation Institute.

Tickets are $60 for Rotarians and $30 for non- Rotarians at https://rotarydistrict5170.org.