Most ag workers are vaccinated

Most agriculture and production workers in Sonoma County are now vaccinated, the result of a coordinated partnership between the wine and healthcare industries.

“The effort in Sonoma County by the agriculture and health communities to organize and vaccinate essential ag and production workers is a great model,” said Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in a press release. “The results of this vaccine campaign are most impressive, and it personifies Sonoma County and its agricultural heritage.”

The wine industry – winegrape farmers and vintners -- worked together with healthcare organizations to schedule appointments and get vaccines into the arms of vineyard and production workers who live or work in Sonoma County. More than 95 percent of agricultural workers are vaccinated.

The program included Sonoma County Winegrowers, Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, local community health centers including Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, West County Health Center, Alliance Medical Center, Alexander Valley Health Care and Sonoma County Medical Association.

“Because of the outstanding coordination and trust among all the organizing partners, we exceeded our timelines in getting our neighbors vaccinated. We’ve shared one goal from the beginning -- ensure that all of our vineyard and production workers got vaccinated as soon as possible,” Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, said in a statement.

Staff, translators and other resources were provided by the ag partner organizations. To help cover expenses related to the vaccination program Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation donated funds to the healthcare groups, and Sonoma County Vintners Foundation donated iPads and funding to the participating health centers to facilitate and coordinate the logistics of the program.

Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.