SAN DIEGO–All health care personnel in Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution are now eligible to get immunized, provided there are enough doses in the region, the County Health and Human Services Agency said Wednesday.
The County is following federal and state guidelines and working with the County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group to determine vaccine allocation.
An estimated 500,000 people in San Diego are eligible in the three tiers of Phase 1A vaccination distribution cycle. At least 120,000 COVID-19 doses have been delivered to the region. That figure does not include some health care providers since they receive their vaccine directly from the manufacturer or the distributor.
“We still don’t have vaccines available for the general public, so we’re asking San Diegans to be patient,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “When we do, we will let them know where they can get vaccinated.”
Health care personnel in Phase 1A who are interested in getting vaccinated should contact their health care provider to find out if they have any doses available. People in Phase 1A without a provider can go to one of the County’s public health centers to get vaccinated. For the nearest location, visit 211sandiego.org or call 2-1-1.
Health care organizations that are not able to administer COVID-19 vaccinations can find out immunization opportunities by filling out the registration form for health care professionals.
To date, about 51,000 San Diegans have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The total only includes vaccines that have been recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry, which typically lags several days behind. Also, some health care providers, including Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, some tribal entities and prisons do not report to the immunization registry.
After health care personnel and long-term care facility residents and employees in Phase 1A, the next to be vaccinated will be Phase 1B. These are people at higher risk for severe disease or death from COVID-19 due to age or other factors and essential workers.
As other pharmaceutical companies receive emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more vaccine will arrive in the region.
When the vaccine is available to the general public, which is expected to happen in spring 2021, people will be able to get the vaccine from their health care provider, local pharmacies, community clinics or County vaccination sites. In some cases, employers may provide them to employees.
Until vaccines are more widely available and herd immunity is achieved, County health officials urge San Diegans to follow the public health guidelines that have been proven to slow the spread of the virus.
