Vaccinations: Who’s eligible, how to sign up, and what’s coming next

LAKE COUNTY >> County of Lake officials gave further guidance on vaccine rollouts locally Friday with Health Officer Gary Pacing noting that “the weather-related setbacks of last week are now behind us, and COVID-19 vaccine clinics are back up and running in Lake County.” Next week, Public Health will resume their usual schedule of clinics, and health officials noted they aim to administer 500-1,000 doses per clinic day (first and second doses, combined).

The current vaccine locations and dates are: Lakeport: Monday and Tuesday, 10 am to 4 pm, Lakeport Auto Movies (52 Soda Bay Rd) and Clearlake: Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, Redbud Park (14655 Lakeshore Dr.) Officials added that other partners in the community are also vaccinating people, including Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Sutter, Adventist, and Safeway (in Lakeport, only) and North Lake Medical Pharmacies.

“This broader accessibility is a great positive,” said Pace who confirmed to the public via zoom at the Board of Supervisors that he will be stepping down as health officer for the county in mid April. “We have vaccinated 15-20% of the adult population in Lake County, including most of the nursing home residents, health care workers, and teachers and school staff,” said Pace. “This will help us a lot in the coming months. Since vaccinating the nursing home residents, we have not had any cases there. This is a tremendous change from a few months ago, and shows what may lie in store for us as we get to late spring and summer.”

Pace noted that unfortunately, vaccine supply is still not enough to meet the demand, so health officials have to limit appointments to people that qualify in the State’s phased system.

First dose appointments

Officials stated the first step is determining eligibility. Currently these include those eligible in phase 1A, but didn’t previously get their shot; residents 65 years or older; staff working with elders IHSS workers, senior center, meals on wheels, K-12 school staff; childcare or preschool workers and farmworkers.

Pace added, “We are hoping to permanently extend eligibility to food service workers in the next week or two.”

Officials also note that on March 15, people aged 16-64 with certain chronic medical conditions that make them more susceptible to severe COVID-19 complications will become eligible.

https://www.cdph. ca.gov/Programs/CID/ DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/ Provider-Bulletin-2-12-21. aspx

Visit http://health. co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/ Vaccines.htm to schedule your appointment.

Links to schedule get updated every few days. Those who try and are told the clinic is full are urged to try for a different day. The links for next week will be posted soon.

No internet access?

Seniors should call 707993-4644, for assistance. Farmworkers, on Fridays 9 am to 5 pm are urged to call 707-262-4162; 707-262-4153; or 707-262-4159 for help

Officials asked people not to call these numbers if there are no appointments available online. They have no additional appointments.

The next step is to report to your appointment at the assigned time and place, and bring the following: a photo ID and proof of your eligibility (proof of employment, if you are eligible because of your job).

No walk-in appointments are available at this time. If you do not have an appointment, or you do not have proof you qualify, you will be turned away.

Second dose appointments

“You may have been given a follow-up appointment at the time of your first dose, but with the changes in clinic days and locations, these have been changing a lot. We apologize for any confusion,” officials noted.

In addition, health officials said those eligible should receive a call to schedule their follow-up. “We have had trouble keeping up with these calls, but everyone has been attempted no later than the day before the second dose appointment,” the health officer noted and added, “If you have not received a call, please email us at MHOAC@lakecountyca.gov, or call 707-2638174, with your name, date of birth, phone number, email address and the date of your first shot. We will put together a list and get back in touch with you to schedule.”