Seniors 65 and over will soon have additional opportunities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the County continues to make seniors its highest vaccination priority.

In addition to yesterday’s successful Auto Club Speedway mass-vaccination event, which resulted in 3,235 people – mostly seniors – getting vaccinated, the County this week will open several weeks of vaccination appointments for seniors and announce plans to open more community vaccination centers. The County also plans to launch a mobile vaccination program to serve seniors close to home. The County will also address the issues that led to traffic headaches at yesterday’s speedway event in time for the next mass-vaccination event.

“Seniors are most at-risk from COVID-19. That’s why the County has no higher priority than making sure we quickly reach and serve everyone in our county 65 and over,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.

While prioritizing seniors the County continues to make progress through the State Vaccination Roadmap. The County learned this week that all police officers and firefighters working in the county who want to be vaccinated have been provided with vaccination opportunities. The County has also implemented a strategy that allows vaccinations for teachers currently conducting in-person instruction or who plan to return to the classroom during the current school year, without disrupting service to seniors.

For several weeks the County has worked closely with County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre, public school districts, and private schools throughout the county to develop strategies for vaccinating teachers. Schools and districts will work with their local vaccine providers to serve their eligible teachers rather than create competition between seniors and teachers for appointments online.

“The County’s wise management of vaccines and productive partnerships with vaccine providers such as hospitals and pharmacies are helping us to begin creating a safe environment for teachers and students, which is essential in our efforts to control the virus and return our communities to normal life,” said Hagman. “Best of all, we are doing this in a way that does not interfere with the availability of appointments to seniors.”