COVID vaccine demand remains high in Lake County

More than 2,000 residents vaccinated thus far, Adventist halted Moderna vaccinations this past week over recall

LAKE COUNTY >> “We continue to see a huge surge of cases in Lake County, our highest rate ever. The hospitals are feeling the stress, but keeping patient flow moving and maintaining a high standard of care. This is probably the worst phase of the pandemic, and we don’t know how long it will last. Please stay home as much as possible, wear your masks, and stay distant. This is the most crucial time to take extra precautions,” said Health Officer Gary Pace Friday via his latest news release to the community.

Vaccine distribution update

Vaccine distribution around California is managed by the State Department of Public Health; the small amount coming into California is allocated to each county, based on population. “We have been getting about 400 doses per week over the last month,” noted Pace.

Pace added that given the strong interest in vaccination, the State set up priority phases so the most vulnerable, and those working with the vulnerable, could get the vaccine first. Phase 1a (mainly healthcare and emergency workers) has been generally completed in Lake County. In early Phase 1b, health officials have been focusing on vulnerable elders (the people most likely to die if they get infected) and teachers and school staff (so as the county opens the schools, they can be protected).

Vaccinations are provided through the community medical providers, especially Adventist and Sutter Clinics (who have their own supplies of vaccine), and other local clinics like Lake County Tribal Health. Tribal Health officials did not return a call by this newspaper regarding how the vaccine rollout went this week, but one resident who chose to remain anonymous indicated she was turned away from the clinic because she was not native and was told natives were being prioritized.

According to Public Health, Safeway Pharmacy in Lakeport also received some doses of the Moderna vaccine this week. They are offering appointments for those eligible Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., starting Monday.

https://mhealthcheckin.com/covidvaccine?clientId=1611269027315®ion=Delaware&urlId=%2Fvcl%2F0983lakecounty

Public Health has begun a new vaccine site, as well — Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Lakeport at the Fairgrounds, and Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Senior Center in Clearlake. “These are by appointment only, so please do not show up without an appointment,” said Pace adding that there are still no appointments generally available to the public. He noted school personnel will be contacted by their School District when their name comes up on the list. Seniors will be contacted by the Senior Centers and others helping to contact the most vulnerable. People from the Phase 1a that did not previously get vaccinated can contact the Health Department to be placed on a list. “Remember, there is not nearly enough vaccine for everyone that wants it, so patience is important at this time.”

“We strongly encourage people not to call the Senior Centers or the School Districts,” noted Pace, adding that agencies have been getting an overwhelming number of calls and that they will reach out as they work through their lists.

Joyce Overton, director of Clearlake’s Community Senior Center confirmed Thursday that the center, although shut down since the start of the pandemic, will continue helping the county health department administer the COVID-19 vaccines with priority being given to seniors 70 and older.

Pace also confirmed that a batch of the Moderna vaccine which had been recalled by the state due to a high number of allergic reactions in Southern California made its way to other parts of the state, but the recall was reversed Thursday night. “The health department did have a batch from that lot on hold, we are releasing them now and we will be using them in the coming week,” he said.

“At this point, around 2000 people have been done with vaccine that has been received by the health department (some has been redistributed to other providers). I’m not sure how many the hospitals have done, but they are moving forward quickly to vaccinate as many people as they can with the vaccine they can get from their corporate chains,” he said via email.

Clearlake Adventist Health Clinic could not confirm by press time if Adventist health would continue vaccinations. The facility’s administration was not available for comment at press time but several residents indicated their appointments this week at the clinic had been cancelled because the vaccine was part of the Moderna batch that was put on hold.

Pace added County Health officials hope to keep moving forward with getting as much of the community vaccinated as quickly as possible, and are ordering as much supply as they are able to. He said that hopefully, the supply will improve in the coming weeks. Pace noted new doses are ordered weekly, and health officials aim to get vaccine doses out within a week of when they receive them. “Getting the most vulnerable people at the front of the line is important. Be patient, we are trying to get the vulnerable elders and specific groups of workers taken care of first,” he said.