As Santa Clara County aims to shoot 140,000 people at its mass vaccination sites this week, some of its smaller sites claim they are struggling to get enough customers.
After waiting four months, Steven Cordero of San Jose returns to work with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on his arm. He works near this clinic in the Mexican Heritage Square and noticed something different.
Just two weeks ago, the lines were filled with people waiting for a vaccine and on Wednesday there were no lines.
As Santa Clara County aims to shoot 140,000 people at its mass vaccination sites this week, some of its smaller sites claim they are struggling to get enough customers. Inform Marianne Favro.
“I would walk around here every day and see the long lines and say‘ no, now is not the time, ’” he said. “But I passed today and saw no line.”
The site had 500 doses to give on Tuesday, but only about 400 people showed up to receive a shot. The same thing happened Wednesday and other clinics report a similar problem.
“We see vaccine faltering, especially in our emerging places where appointments are not necessary,” said Ricardo Romero-Morales of Santa Clara County Public Health.
Another possible factor is that the county recently received hundreds of thousands of unexpected doses from the federal government.
“We’re used to a higher volume, but we just don’t see it this week,” said Omar Rodriguez of the Mexican Heritage Plaza. “I think it’s because the vaccine is now widely available in the county.”
But the county stresses, though clinics may not reach maximum daily capacity, but vaccines will not be wasted.
As for Steven, the change in the popularity of the shots meant no waiting, plenty of places to sit after the shot and some peace of mind during the break.
“I feel relieved to finally get the shot,” Steven said.
In the next two weeks, the county will also begin the transition from day-to-night operating clinics.
“Not only [the county] but also our partners are really looking to change in the evening hours and we are thinking about real hours in the evening until 8 to 9 pm to ensure we can reach as many people as we can, ”said Dr. Rocio Luna. “Working people.”
About 53% of Californians 16 years of age or older have at least one dose. According to Dr. Monica Gandhi of UCSF, the challenge can convince other people.
“Overall, I’ll say I’m a little nervous, but I’m still not nervous about the lines,” he said, adding that 70% of vaccination should be enough for the herd’s immunity.
So we’ll have to wait and see if demand really comes down.
‘People who really wanted the vaccine, did everything they could to figure out how to get an appointment before, and now we’re working harder on people who are busy, they’ll get there, they’re going to take their time’ and also some the hesitations I think we will reach, ”Gandhi said.
It is also encouraged by a federal study that shows that approximately 10% of the bay area is hesitant to receive the vaccine. However, other countries such as San Mateo are running out of supply.
If you live there, you’ll have to go to San Francisco or the Oakland Coliseum, if you can’t find them at your local pharmacy.