Placer County, California sent this bulletin at 01/22/2021 05:27 PM PST
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VACCINE!
As you can imagine many people are calling, writing and emailing in search of more information on when they can get vaccinated. I understand that this is an extremely frustrating time for all of us – so I am hoping to help explain what we know, and just as importantly what we don’t know. Information changes rapidly but here is where we stand as of today.
The limitations on vaccinations is entirely due to limitations on the supply of doses. Placer has been allocated an average of 4,343 doses of the Covid-19 vaccination (first and second) per week. To give you an idea on how far that goes, there are approximately 80,000 Placer residents who are 65 or older - not to mention the thousands of healthcare workers and others that fall into the Phase 1a category as well. At this pace, it would take us 4-6 months to vaccinate our most vulnerable and our essential workers. We do know that more vaccine is on the way and we are actively fighting to secure as much as we can for our residents. As soon as we get it - we get it out. Unfortunately none of us believe this is fast enough.
Placer County does have capacity to give the vaccines once we receive more doses. Placer County Public Health and Safeway alone currently have the capability to administer around 7,400 per week and other health providers throughout the county have the capacity to administer thousands more. Also, Public Health continues to cultivate partnerships with other pharmacies to further expand capacity as we receive more vaccines.
As we see additional doses become available, more appointments for vaccines will also be available to community members. One of the best ways to be notified when large new batches of appointments are made available at county clinics and about progression through the vaccination phases is to sign up for text alerts. To do that, text PLACERVACCINE to the number 898211.
The Placer County vaccine website is also updated as new information becomes available. You can also check this page for answers to some additional frequently asked questions.
I know this is a challenging time, but please be patient and have confidence that more vaccines are coming. I encourage you to sign up for text alerts and to continue to check the website – I will also continue to update you through newsletters as we have more information to share.
Finally, a reminder to all of us – whether we’ve received the vaccine or not – please continue to work together and follow safety protocols. Please wash your hands, wear a face covering, and physically distance yourself from others.
- Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor
COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES
GETTING VACCINATED
The Placer County Public Health Division is coordinating COVID-19 vaccine efforts in alignment with recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, the COVID-19 California Governor’s Vaccine Task Force, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force Working Group. LEARN MORE
Age 65 and older (The State/PrepMod is in the process of updating their web portal to reflect 65+ eligibility. Eligible residents in this category may proceed making an appointment and ignore messages to the contrary.)
SAFEWAY(various locations) Placer County residents who are:
Eligible health care personnel in Phase 1A
Age 75 and older (Safeway is in the process of updating their web portal to reflect 75+ eligibility. Eligible residents in this category may proceed making an appointment and ignore messages to the contrary.)
The Placer County Health Division is kindly encouraging everyone to please arrive ON TIME (not early) for their appointments to alleviate unnecessary crowds. Also, please check on your eligible family, friends and neighbors to see if they need assistance making an appointment online.
