Public Health

San Bernardino County Public Health provides county residents with access to health clinics, disease prevention and control programs, immunization services, environmental health programs, birth and death records, emergency preparedness information, maternal and child health programs, nutrition services, and public health data. This article explains which Public Health program handles common needs, where to locate official services, what information or documents may be required, and how to avoid contacting the wrong office or using the wrong process.

Department of Public Health Services

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health works to promote and protect health, wellness, safety, and quality of life throughout the county. Its responsibilities include preventing epidemics and the spread of disease, protecting residents from environmental hazards, preventing injuries, encouraging healthy behaviors, responding to disasters, assisting communities during recovery, and supporting access to health services.

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website serves as the main entry point for county-operated public health information. Residents can use it to reach health clinics, immunization information, communicable disease programs, restaurant grades, birth and death certificate services, emergency preparedness information, animal-related services, health reports, and other Public Health programs.

Public Health is made up of multiple specialized programs rather than a single office handling every request. A resident seeking a clinic appointment, for example, should use Clinic Operations, while someone requesting a recent birth or death certificate should work with the Vital Statistics Registration Office. Restaurant inspections and environmental complaints are handled through Environmental Health Services, and reports concerning infectious diseases are handled through the Communicable Disease Section.

Programs and Service Areas

The Department maintains a broad Public Health programs and services directory that identifies the major programs operating within the department. These include Animal Care, Black Infant Health, California Children's Services, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Clinic Operations, Communicable Disease, Community Vital Signs, Environmental Health Services, Health Education, Health Equity, HIV/AIDS Services, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, the Perinatal Equity Initiative, Preparedness and Response, the Public Health Laboratory, SmileSBC, the Vital Statistics Registration Office, and Women, Infants and Children.

Using the program directory can prevent delays caused by sending a request to the general department when a specialized program has its own procedures. Before calling or submitting a question, identify the type of service involved. Clinical care, certificates, disease reporting, environmental health matters, emergency preparedness, and nutrition assistance are handled through different Public Health operations.

County Public Health Clinics

Clinic Operations provides a range of low-cost, confidential health services through county health centers and public health clinics. Services identified by the department include primary care, pediatrics, immunizations, dental services, sexual health, teen health, and access to medical mobile units. Clinic Operations also provides patient information and health education materials.

Residents who need county-operated clinical services can review the Public Health Clinic Operations information before arranging care. The clinic program lists health center locations in Adelanto, Barstow, Ontario, Needles, Hesperia, and San Bernardino. The county instructs patients to schedule clinic appointments through its central clinic appointment line rather than assuming that a listed facility accepts walk-in visits.

Services available through clinics

The appropriate service depends on the reason for the visit. Clinic Operations identifies several areas of care that residents may encounter:

Primary care services.
Pediatric health services, including care for children.
Immunizations.
Dental services.
Sexual health services.
Teen health services.
Medical mobile unit services.

The county also promotes colorectal cancer screening for adults age 50 and older through its health centers and provides information about seasonal flu vaccination. Because services and patient needs differ, residents should confirm the appropriate clinic service when arranging an appointment rather than arriving at a location solely because it is the closest Public Health facility.

Sexual health testing

Public Health clinics provide sexual health services, and the department directs residents to schedule appointments through Clinic Operations. The Communicable Disease program also operates an Easy Access Clinic offering free sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, HIV PrEP navigation, linkage to care, and health education. The reference information states that the Easy Access Clinic operates at 590 N. D St. in San Bernardino on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents should distinguish between general clinic appointments and specialized communicable disease services. The department's clinic system covers several types of care, while communicable disease programs focus specifically on infectious disease prevention, testing, treatment support, surveillance, and related public health activities.

Communicable Disease Services

The Communicable Disease Section conducts disease surveillance and infection-control work in accordance with California law. Its responsibilities include investigating reports of communicable diseases and outbreaks, providing case management services, facilitating laboratory testing to confirm disease, educating health care providers and the public, and monitoring disease trends.

The section covers tuberculosis and emerging diseases, sexually transmitted infections, mpox, health care-associated infections and infection prevention, immunization services, school-based vaccine services, communicable disease reporting forms, training, and public health data concerning infectious diseases.

Disease exposure and outbreaks

Public Health may issue county-specific notices when infectious disease conditions change. The department has published information concerning measles, tuberculosis, mpox, influenza, avian influenza, West Nile virus, and other communicable disease concerns. Residents looking for current county information should rely on the department's disease pages rather than assuming that procedures for one condition apply to another.

The Communicable Disease Section also provides instructions concerning potential rabies exposure. The county advises avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with bats when there is possible exposure and identifies Animal Care as the contact for bat-related situations. Disease-specific instructions can change depending on the type of exposure, so reports and questions should be directed to the appropriate Public Health program.

Immunizations and Vaccine Records

The county's Immunization Services program works to reduce vaccine-preventable disease among children, adolescents, and adults. Public Health provides immunization information to health care providers, schools, child care centers, and members of the public. The program also works with public and private immunization providers on vaccination requirements, schedules, vaccine storage, and handling practices.

School immunization requirements

California requires children entering kindergarten and child care to be appropriately immunized. Public Health explains that children's and school records are screened to determine whether required immunizations have been received. Parents and guardians should distinguish school immunization requirements from general recommendations for adults or from vaccine programs offered through county clinics.

California Immunization Registry

The California Immunization Registry, commonly known as CAIR, is a secure web-based database that can store immunization records. It is separate from the county's clinical appointment system. Someone looking for an existing vaccination record should not treat a request for a registry record as the same process as scheduling a new vaccination through a Public Health clinic.

State-funded flu vaccine providers

Public Health also administers a State General Fund Influenza Program for eligible organizations receiving state-funded influenza vaccine. The program requires its application forms to be completed in full. Required application attachments include a photograph of the vaccine storage unit and a valid calibration certificate for the digital data logger that will be used. Eligible applicants are contacted by a representative of the county's Communicable Disease Section.

This provider process is intended for qualifying organizations and should not be confused with an individual resident making an appointment for a flu vaccination.

Environmental Health Services

Environmental Health Services is part of San Bernardino County Public Health and focuses on environmental conditions that affect public health and safety. Its programs include food facilities, mosquito and vector control, street vendors, safe drinking water, recreation and aquatic facilities, wastewater and land use, solid waste, massage and body art practices, housing and lodging, and medical waste.

Food facilities and inspections

Environmental Health Services operates systems for permits, inspections, plan review, complaints, records requests, and payments. Residents can use its official website to locate inspection reports for permitted facilities and submit environmental health complaints. Businesses and applicants can also obtain applications, forms, current fee information, and plan check requirements.

Restaurant grades and inspection records fall under environmental health rather than general Clinic Operations. A person seeking information about a restaurant inspection should therefore use Environmental Health Services instead of contacting a Public Health medical clinic.

Food events and permits

Environmental Health Services also regulates temporary food facilities. The county specifically states that submitting a community event to its event calendar does not replace health permit requirements. When food will be sold at an event, food vendors and the event organizer are required to have health permits to participate.

Applications for these food-related event permits must be submitted at least two weeks before the event. Event organizers should account for that requirement when planning an event rather than waiting until the event date approaches or assuming an event calendar submission serves as a permit application.

Environmental customer portal

Environmental Health Services has announced a new Customer Portal intended to centralize customer transactions. According to the department, customers will be required to create a portal account to pay fees, view permits, process permit renewals, submit applications, and view inspection reports. Residents and businesses should distinguish this Environmental Health portal from the systems used for Public Health clinic appointments, disease reporting, or vital records.

Birth and Death Certificates

The Vital Statistics Registration Office registers births and deaths in San Bernardino County, issues burial permits, and provides certificates for certain recent vital events. Choosing the correct office depends primarily on when the event occurred.

The 24-month record rule

The Vital Statistics Registration Office issues certificates for births, deaths, and fetal deaths when the event occurred within the last 24 months. The office holds these records for 24 months. Records older than 24 months must instead be obtained through the San Bernardino County Recorder.

This distinction is particularly useful for avoiding a common routing error. A recent birth or death record may be handled by Public Health's Vital Statistics Registration Office, while an older record belongs with the County Recorder. The Recorder can be contacted at (855) 732-2575 for older records.

Certified copy eligibility

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 permits only authorized persons to receive a certified copy of a vital record. A request for a certified certificate is therefore different from simply locating general information about a birth or death. Applicants should review the eligibility requirements associated with the certificate they are requesting before submitting the request.

The Vital Statistics Registration Office also assists with registration procedures and various types of amendments and provides information regarding authentication and apostille seals. An apostille may be applied to a certified copy of a California vital event record when required for foreign use.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

The county's Preparedness and Response Program plans for, mitigates, and responds to emergencies that have public health consequences. The program addresses disease outbreaks, pandemics, natural disasters, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies, including terrorist acts involving those agents.

Public Health works with emergency response partners to address community health needs during disasters. The program also provides information concerning extreme heat, emerging infectious diseases, health care surge planning, medical points of dispensing, and other public health preparedness issues.

Personal emergency preparation

The county's preparedness guidance organizes individual and family preparation around four basic activities:

Know the hazards that may affect the area.
Make an emergency plan.
Build an emergency kit.
Stay informed during changing conditions.

Public Health preparedness information should be used for health-related emergency planning rather than as a substitute for another county department's emergency response function. The program's role is specifically centered on public health readiness, response, and recovery.

Maternal and Child Health

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health program focuses on improving health outcomes for women of reproductive age, infants, children, adolescents, and their families. Its priorities include breastfeeding support, access to quality care, improved pregnancy outcomes, reduced rates of low birth weight and premature birth, and efforts to reduce sudden infant death and promote safe sleep environments.

The program also includes initiatives addressing fetal and infant mortality, sudden infant death syndrome, Black infant health, perinatal equity, and home visiting. These programs are different from standard clinic appointments and from WIC nutrition services, even though they may serve some of the same families.

Women, Infants and Children

San Bernardino County's WIC program has served expectant families, new parents, infants, and young children with healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community resources. The program maintains multiple offices throughout the county and provides separate processes for applying, making appointments, and rescheduling appointments.

People considering WIC should first determine whether the program applies to their household situation. The county specifically identifies pregnant individuals as well as grandparents, foster parents, and caretakers of children under age five among people who may want to review WIC qualification information. Eligibility should be determined through the program's official process rather than assumed solely from household type.

Public Health Data and Reports

The department maintains a Public Health data and reports section containing open data, performance information, community health assessments, community health improvement planning materials, geographic information system information, departmental reports and plans, and program reports.

The department states that its formal data request process is still being developed. Residents should therefore distinguish between data that has already been published through the department and a formal request for data that is not presently available through the published materials.

Contacting the Correct Program

General Public Health questions may be submitted through the department's official Public Health contact page. The contact form asks for identifying and contact information, the Public Health program or area of interest, and the comment or question. Contact information must be included when a personal response is requested, and an email address is required for an email response.

The contact system is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding government holidays. Messages received outside those hours are addressed on the next business day. The general Public Health information line follows the same regular weekday business hours, and voicemail may be left for follow-up on general inquiries.

Immediate or urgent public health needs after regular business hours, on weekends, and on holidays have a separate after-hours Public Health number. Residents should not rely on the online contact form for an urgent after-hours matter because the form is not continuously monitored.

Common routing mistakes

Several Public Health services sound similar but use different offices and processes. Checking the service category before making contact can prevent unnecessary transfers or delays.

Clinic appointments belong with Clinic Operations, while communicable disease investigations and reporting belong with the Communicable Disease Section.

Restaurant inspections, food permits, environmental complaints, and permitted-facility inspection reports belong with Environmental Health Services rather than a medical clinic.

Birth, death, and fetal death certificates for events within the last 24 months are handled by the Vital Statistics Registration Office; older records are handled by the County Recorder.

Scheduling a vaccination and locating an existing immunization record are separate tasks. CAIR is the immunization registry, while county clinics provide vaccination services.

A community event calendar submission does not replace a required Environmental Health permit for food vendors or event organizers.

The general Public Health contact form should not be treated as an immediate-response system outside normal weekday monitoring hours.

Public Health Offices

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
451 E. Vanderbilt Way
San Bernardino, CA 92408
800-782-4264

Communicable Disease Section
451 E. Vanderbilt Way
San Bernardino, CA 92408
800-722-4794

Vital Statistics Registration Office
340 N. Mountain View Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909-381-8990

Environmental Health Services — San Bernardino Office
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., 2nd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0160
800-442-2283

Public Health FAQs

Do I need an appointment for a birth or death certificate?

No appointment is required to visit the Vital Statistics Registration Office lobby. This can be useful when requesting an eligible recent birth, death, or fetal death certificate in person. Before visiting, check the county’s Vital Statistics Registration Office information for certificate requirements, certified-copy eligibility, amendments, apostille information, and current office procedures. Requirements can differ depending on the type of record or correction requested.

Can medical providers get help with vaccine storage and immunization practices?

Yes. San Bernardino County’s Immunization Services program provides education for public and private immunization providers, including personalized training on vaccination schedules and vaccine storage and handling. Medical practices can review county immunization provider services for current program information. The same page also provides guidance for school-located vaccine events and links to applicable California Department of Public Health training.

What help is available after pregnancy or infant loss?

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health program includes services focused on fetal and infant mortality and sudden infant death syndrome. Its SIDS program provides education and grief counseling, while the Fetal Infant Mortality Review program examines factors contributing to fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal deaths. Families and providers can review the county’s maternal and child health programs for available initiatives and family resources.

Does the county offer guidance for school vaccine events?

Yes. Public Health provides guidance connected with school-located vaccine events, which may be organized with participating health departments, pharmacies, community organizations, or academic institutions. Schools planning an event should use the county’s official immunization guidance to review current requirements and the California training materials linked by the department rather than relying on general school vaccination information.