ALMOST 8,000 RECEIVE COVID VACCINE AT WEEKEND CLINIC
SALINAS >> The two-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic held by Natividad hospital at Everett Alvarez High School wrapped up Sunday with 7,889 residents getting a vaccine shot.
According to data updated Monday, 48% of Monterey County residents 16 years of age and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 234,420 doses of the vaccine have been received by the county.
“There was a huge amount of vaccine (given) over the weekend and that just means we get closer,” said Karen Smith, a spokeswoman for the Monterey County Health Department. “We still have to wear masks, we still have to do all those things, but we really appreciate the people who came out to get their vaccine. It’s exciting!”
Smith said starting Thursday Monterey County residents will need to go to myturn.ca.gov to sign up for vaccine appointments. The county’s www.mcvaccinate.com website will still be operational and has a link to the state’s My Turn website.
The Alvarez High clinic was the first opportunity for the general public aged 16 and older to get a vaccine in Monterey County. Everyone 16 and older will be eligible to sign up for the vaccine starting Thursday. Natividad and the Monterey County Health Department announced on Wednesday last week the Alvarez High clinic would open up to everyone 16 and older after hundreds of appointments remained unfilled.
“It is very important that when vaccine is made available that it is used,” Monterey County spokeswoman Maia Carroll said in an email to the local media. “Mass no shows make it difficult for pharmacists to
prepare and preserve our county’s precious supply of vaccine.”
Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo was among the nearly 8,000 people who received a shot over the weekend. Alejo filmed a public service announcement about the vaccine at the clinic and some of his staff members received the vaccine as well.
“We fought for months to get more vaccine for Monterey County residents, have been volunteering getting #Farmworkers vaccinated for weeks & now, also taking care of ourselves & our families by getting our shots!” Alejo wrote on Facebook.
Alejo said his shot didn’t hurt and he had no side effects. He thanked the Natividad hospital workers who made the vaccination clinic work.
“Plus, they have us all our 2nd appointment for May 2nd too!” Alejo said on Facebook. “So impressed at this huge operation.”
The clinic recorded 380 no-shows on Saturday, which prompted organizers to open an additional 500 appointments for Sunday and allow those who could not make appointments to walk in at the end of the day.
“On Sunday, there were a total of 700 no shows, but thanks to approximately 200 walk ins, only 500 doses of vaccine were returned safely to the hospital for use in clinics this coming week,” Carroll said.
Smith said a drive-thru vaccine clinic held by the county Health Department in Greenfield went great. Clinics are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at Mee Memorial Hospital in King City.
“I know there are clinics coming up that will be scheduled but we typically don’t post them until we have vaccine in-house,” she said.