We know the community has questions and we launched our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage this week, to provide updates and will continue to add information as it becomes available.

Alameda County anticipates receiving nearly 14,000 doses of the COVID vaccine around the middle of December. Per the framework approved by Federal and State health officials, the first doses will go to acute hospitals in order to vaccinate the highest risk staff to preserve our health care workforce. Additional doses should arrive regularly with a second shipment anticipated in late December. Medical first responders are in the first priority group and likely to receive the vaccine in January. Widespread, general community availability and large scale points of dispensing are not likely before early Spring. There is a separate Federal process to bring vaccine to Skilled Nursing residents and staff that will likely begin in late December. It's important to know that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have set the framework for Counties to follow.

We are using our flu vaccine community points of dispensing as an opportunity to prepare for the distribution of the COVID vaccine when it's available. Partners include community-based organizations, COVID-19 testing sites, local elected officials, cities, and community clinics. We are leveraging our countywide provider network of hospitals and clinics that we convene for COVID-19 surge planning to help refine vaccine distribution. We will soon add a community advisory body to ensure we preserve our mission to achieve equity by working in partnership to promote fair and inclusive opportunities for all Alameda County residents.