The cities of Berkeley and Albany are partnering with Alameda County and Curative, Inc., to open a mass vaccination site this week for local residents aged 75 and over. The North County Mass Vaccination Site will be located in the parking lot north of the Golden Gate Fields race track, near Buchanan Street. Complete information for the city of Berkeley, including the nomination request form, appears below. See the frequently asked questions about the Berkeleyside COVID-19 vaccine for answers to many common questions.
Berkeley and Alameda County residents at least 75 years old can register for one of a limited set of COVID-19 drive-through vaccination appointments starting on Friday, February 5.
These vaccines, which are being coordinated by the city of Berkeley at a location in Albany, align with state guidelines and target the most vulnerable ages to hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
These vaccines by appointment only are available to people looking for their first dose. Curative, Inc., the supplier, will add those with appointments to their notification system for second appointments.
Vaccinations will take place from 5 to Monday, February 8, at the site, which is at the foot of Buchanan Street, near Albany Bulb. Make your appointments online. The form asks for basic demographic information to confirm eligibility for an appointment. A confirmation email will be sent to anyone who makes an appointment.
Transport option for Berkeley seniors, disabled
For Berkeley residents who need mobility assistance to get there, a free ride service offered by the city can help some people get to their appointments for a fee of $ 15.
Once you have an appointment, contact Easy Does It at 510-704-2111 to verify your eligibility, register for services and schedule a trip.
Easy Does It will ask health screening questions to ensure the safety of the driver and driver. Drivers wear personal protective equipment and face covers are required of passengers.
With limited vaccine delivery, sign up for notification lists
The limited supply of national vaccine means that it will take many months for vaccines to reach the general population.
No matter what your age, you can prepare yourself by understanding what your health care provider’s process is and subscribing to notification lists based on your eligibility.
The City of Berkeley list will be used to notify people when new vaccination opportunities become available through Berkeley Public Health.
Major healthcare providers, such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, receive their own limited supply of vaccine through the state and are beginning to schedule appointments for members aged 75 and over:
- Sutter Health patients who are health professionals or 75 years or older can schedule appointments online or by calling 844-987-6115.
- Kaiser Permanente has stated that it will contact members aged 75 and over directly when schedules are available. Kaiser Permanente members who are healthcare professionals, emergency medical service providers or long-term care patients can schedule an electronic visit to request a vaccine appointment.
Limited vaccine supplies are also being distributed through other channels, such as a federal program for long-term care facilities and health care for UC Berkeley.
No matter what list you are on, keep an eye on your email and take immediate action when you receive a notification that you are eligible to make an appointment.
Everyone will get the vaccine eventually, but it will take time
These safe and highly effective vaccines are free to the public. As federal supplies increase, COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to everyone.
The two currently approved vaccines – Moderna and Pfizer – are for adults and each requires two doses to be approximately 95% effective.
All the tools needed to end the pandemic
Each vaccination helps to increase our resilience to the virus, even when it still kills thousands across the country.
The vaccine is not a panacea. We need to use all the tools that the CDC has identified to combat this pandemic. Everyone – even those who are vaccinated – must wear masks and avoid meetings. Many people remain vulnerable.
Every time you wear a mask, avoid a meeting, stay away from other families or get a vaccine, you help protect our community.
Ask your doctor about scheduling the vaccination. If you want to receive information from the city of Berkeley as eligibility expands or appointments become available, subscribe to the notification list.