Concerns over the COVID-19 vaccine took center stage at the Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting on December 17, 2024, as two speakers passionately called for an investigation into the vaccine's safety and its administration in the community.

The first speaker, a former healthcare worker and current investigator for VAERS Aware, shared personal experiences of vaccine-related health issues, including severe complications following the Moderna vaccine. She urged the Board to halt the vaccine's distribution and to notify residents about potential risks, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into reported adverse effects. "If you are truly committed to your community's health, you would survey all vaccinated and determine if they've been harmed," she stated, highlighting her own struggles and the loss of her mother due to vaccine complications.

Ronaldeth Owens Jr., a former public information officer at the California Department of Public Health, echoed these sentiments, revealing that he had faced disciplinary action for raising concerns about vaccine safety, particularly among communities of color. He referenced a statement from Health and Human Services Secretary Javier Becerra, which indicated that vaccines were disproportionately affecting people of color. Owens criticized the Board for not taking action on the information he provided, stating, "If you and the 57 other board supervisors across the state perhaps had listened... perhaps 1 man and 1 woman here in California may be alive."

Both speakers called for accountability and a reevaluation of the vaccine's safety, urging the Board to take immediate action to protect the community. Their testimonies reflect a growing concern among some residents regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and its implications for public health in Lake County. The Board's response to these appeals remains to be seen, as the community awaits further discussions on this contentious issue.