County Further Intensifies Effort to Vaccinate Those 65 and Over
Officials Taking Steps to Make Scheduling Appointments as Easy as Possible
San Bernardino County is further intensifying its efforts to vaccinate the area’s residents aged 65 and older, and make it easier for them to schedule vaccination appointments at its five major public heath vaccination sites:
- Ontario Convention Center
- Arroyo Valley High School, San Bernardino
- Hook Community Center, Victorville
- Hesperia Health Center
- Copper Mountain College, Joshua Tree
“Seniors are most at risk from COVID-19, so our focus is on getting vaccinations in their arms as soon as possible,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “Although we are obtaining additional doses from the state, demand for appointments is high, so we are urging residents to sign up to be notified when new appointments become available.”
Senior residents can go to https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine/65plus/#load to sign up to receive alerts announcing appointment availability. The County is also taking additional steps to assist seniors trying to schedule vaccination appointments. For example, it has extended hours for its vaccination hotline (909-387-3911) and is adding staff to handle calls.
“We are making every effort to make this process easy for seniors, many of whom are not experienced computer users. This is an unprecedented effort to provide literally thousands of vaccine doses as quickly as possible,” Hagman said.
The County plans to establish additional vaccination sites as more doses become available, including mobile sites for particularly remote or hard-to-reach areas. In addition, the state itself is setting up additional vaccination sites, via OptumServe, including one at Ayala Park in Bloomington and one at the Yucaipa Community Center. Senior residents interested in scheduling appointments at either of these sites should use a dedicated OptumServe appointment site located here.
Finally, a number of hospitals, pharmacies and physician practices have been provided doses of the vaccines. Residents should check the County’s vaccination webpage often to see if appointments are available. Links to all potential vaccine providers can be found at https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine/.
Tips for a Smooth Vaccination Appointment
The County wants to work with our residents and workforce to make sure your vaccination appointments is problem-free and as quick and easy as possible. Whether you are going to a public health site, a vaccination event or using a mobile vaccine unit, here are a few tips.
- Vaccines can only be given with an appointment.
- Please try not to arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
- Be ready to show proof of age.
- It is important for you to wait for 15 minutes after receiving a vaccine so you can be observed for any reactions, and for treatment to be provided if needed.
- Please plan to spend at least an hour total at your appointment.
During your appointment, you can expect to work with medical staff to get a vaccination card and have your follow-up second-dose appointment scheduled before you leave.
 Ads Encourage Older County Residents to Sign Up for Notifications
This week the County of San Bernardino is launching a series of ads on billboards and online platforms intended to encourage older residents to sign up to be notified on the availability of COVID-19 vaccination doses.
The “Our Shot for Hope” ads feature a heart-shaped bandage with a message to “know when it’s your turn.” The ads encourage people to sign up for notifications at SBCovid19.com, and also gives a helpline phone number.
“At this point most people are aware that demand for a vaccine dose is exceeding our supply, but someday soon that will change,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “This ad campaign is intended to get our 65 and older residents to sign up for quick email notifications as doses are released. For now, the alert is only available for older residents, but this may broaden over time as we move into other phases that allow other sectors of the county’s population to receive the vaccination.”
County Worship Houses Can Now Hold Indoor Services
Following a Supreme Court ruling overturning the State’s ban on indoor worship services, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced new guidelines permitting such worship, while limiting attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity in counties with widespread or substantial virus spread, which includes San Bernardino County.
Singing and chanting inside a worship facility remains prohibited by the State. California had put the restrictions in place because the virus is more easily transmitted indoors and singing releases tiny droplets that can carry the disease.
On a 6-3 vote, the justices cited the Constitution’s protection of the free exercise of religion and ruled that “regulations like these violate the First Amendment unless the state can show they are the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling government interest.”
Previously, indoor worship services were banned in San Bernardino County and other counties California has assigned to the Purple Tier, which the State considers to be at widespread risk of coronavirus transmission. All Southern California counties are currently in the Purple Tier.
While limited indoor services are now allowed, houses of worship are still required to enforce social distancing, with attendance limited to the number of people able to be accommodated with six feet between households. Face coverings remain mandatory.
Despite easing the indoor rules, the County has consistently recommended that services be set outdoors whenever possible.
Latest Stats
279,412 Confirmed Cases (up 0.2% from the previous day)
2,142 Deaths (up 0% from the previous day)
2,303,383 Tests (up 0.3% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile
tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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