San Mateo County officials announced Thursday that, beginning Feb. 22, they will extend COVID-19 vaccines to teachers and providers of child care, first aid and food and agricultural workers who are eligible for the phase. 1B of the state, according to supply.
“It’s understandable that people are claiming the vaccine and we need to move as quickly as possible for this to happen as soon as possible,” San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom said in a prepared statement. “We must do everything possible under the restrictions we have to limit the enormity of the pandemic, as COVID-19 continues to ravage our community.”
Following the state’s tier system, the county, in collaboration with private providers, has focused on immunizing health workers, long-term care center residents, and the elderly from that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were available in December. As of this week, a third of people age 65 and older in San Mateo County have received the first dose of vaccine, according to the county.
This effort will be expanded on February 22 to include eligible essential workers such as educators, child care providers, police and food and agricultural workers, which includes some grocery store employees as it allows for a limited supply. of vaccines.
“Getting vaccines in the arms of San Mateo County residents is our highest and most urgent priority,” said Dave Pine, the county supervisor, who along with Groom is part of a COVID-19 Council subcommittee. Pine added that severe supply constraints are complicating efforts and requiring patience and understanding.
The reason to wait until Feb. 22 to expand eligibility is that it allows the county and partners to stay focused on vaccinating health care workers and residents 65 and older who are at the highest risk of death from coronavirus. More than 8 in 10 of the 447 deaths in San Mateo (84%) are people 65 or older.
The county, through San Mateo County Health and the county-run San Mateo Medical Center, works closely with private health care providers, community organizations and other partners to vaccinate eligible residents. As the supply of vaccines allows, the county on Feb. 22 will provide pathways toward vaccination for newly eligible residents who are unable to access the vaccine through their regular health care provider, according to the county.
The county works with organizations representing educators, child care workers, law enforcement and restoration and agriculture workers to support vaccination plans based on an equity framework. The county will encourage local health care providers to vaccinate priority populations in low-income neighborhoods whenever possible before making appointments with the most eligible population, according to officials.
About 85,000 people have received a first dose of vaccine as of Sunday. About 20,000 have completed the series of vaccines in two doses.