San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county during the month of January. Free and open to the public, these clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 5-11. Boosters and vaccines for other ages will not be available.

Amid sharp increases in new COVID-19 cases during this holiday season, County Health is urging residents to seek out testing and get vaccinated, especially those traveling or anticipating a return to in-person schooling.

Deputy County Manager Peggy Jensen, a skilled leader who is heading the County’s COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts, is nominated as the County of San Mateo’s second-in-command.

The County of San Mateo’s revenues increased by $224 million in Fiscal Year 2020-21, mostly due to one-time federal grants received to help address COVID-19, according to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) which is now available.

What we heard back: The joy of being able to hug loved ones. Feeling safer about kids returning to school. Worries over whether the pandemic will ever end. What we learned is that the past year has been one of hope, strength and struggle. We invite you on a journey that no one knows when will end. (View the story below on its own web page.)

Public health agencies across the Bay Area urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster shot right away to protect against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

The County of San Mateo will soon house hundreds of vulnerable residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness as early as next year thanks to $68 million in state Homekey funds.

The San Mateo County Arts Commission, which views the arts as an essential part of a healthy and vibrant community, champions policies and practices that promote social and cultural equity. We strive to promote inclusive and diverse programming and to ensure equitable access to arts and culture for all, with consideration for race, ability, sexual orientation, age, gender, economic status, and cultural background. We also commit to partnering with artists and arts organizations that represent and celebrate the diversity of our county, through the fair and equitable distribution of programmatic and financial support. Through these actions, arts are a vehicle for social change.

The County of San Mateo’s Office of Emergency Services is now the Department of Emergency Management, or DEM. The promotion to a County department reflects the importance of emergency planning and preparedness as well as emergency response. County Manager Mike Callagy said the “frequency and complexity” of emergencies prompted the change.

Due to high demand for COVID-19 booster shots, appointments are now required for those 12 and older to receive a shot at the County-operated vaccine clinic operating at the Event Center.

At their November 9 meeting held via video conference, the Board of Supervisors certified the Off-Leash Dog Recreation Pilot Program IS/MND and approved the pilot that will introduce off-leash dog access at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff, on a trial basis. At the November 16 Board of Supervisors meeting, the ordinance allowing the pilot will be read into the County ordinance code.

A Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Off-leash Dog Recreation Pilot Program at Pillar Point Bluff and Quarry Park was posted for public review and comment from July 15 to August 13, 2021.