Weeks after the start of the California mass vaccination plan, we are long overdue. Of the nearly 2 million doses that have been distributed, only about 650,000 have been injected into the arms of state residents, according to Friday data from the California Department of Public Health.
Facing criticism, officials are now moving to expand access. This week, they began offering vaccines to the next two levels of eligible recipients – going beyond hospital staff to a broader range of healthcare professionals, such as people working in specialist clinics, dental clinics and pharmacies.
Next week, dentists will receive a four-hour online training course on how to administer the injection.
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden announced on Friday that his government would release almost all doses of vaccine available when he takes office later this month, instead of withholding supplies for a second dose. Currently, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved for use.
Here is an overview of the process and when you can expect to be vaccinated.
Who is getting the vaccine now?
We are currently in Phase 1A, providing the vaccine to healthcare professionals and residents of long-term care facilities. Phase 1A has three levels; counties are moving through these layers at different speeds, depending on local supply and demand.
Level 1: acute, psychiatric and correctional hospitals; specialized nursing staff and residents and assisted living facilities; paramedics, emergency medical technicians and dialysis centers.
Level 2: Intermediate care facilities; home health care; community health workers; public health workers; primary care clinics; correctional clinics, rural clinics and emergency care centers.
Layer 3: Other settings and health professionals, including specialist clinics, laboratory staff, dental and dental health clinics and pharmacy staff that were not covered in the upper layers.
This phase of launching the vaccine is relatively easy because employers are simply notifying their employees. Employees are easily identifiable through professional licenses, employee badges or payment receipts.
Most doses for residents of specialist wards and assisted residences are distributed through the federal government’s pharmacy program, not the state, although some counties have chosen not to participate in that program. CVS or Walgreens is communicating directly with each facility.
Who’s next to get the vaccine?
The next stage is Phase 1B, which is likely to start in early February. The hope is that everyone at this stage will receive at least one dose by the end of March. Phase 1B has two levels:
Level 1: anyone aged 75 or over; education and daycare workers; emergency service workers (firefighters, police and prison staff); food and agriculture workers, including supermarket workers.
Layer 2: anyone aged 65 or over; transport / logistics workers; industrial, residential and commercial shelter facilities / services; critical manufacturing; incarcerated individuals; homeless.
When the vaccine is available to these groups, it is likely to be administered by doctors and health plans, primary care clinics, pharmacies, some workplaces and special vaccination sites administered by county public health departments and other community partners.
If you are eligible based on your age, your doctor or health plan may contact you. Kaiser, for example, will identify eligible members and offer an appointment. Local health departments say they will look for older adults working with community groups and retirement communities.
If you are eligible based on your occupation – education, agriculture and food services – your employer can notify you. Doctors cannot make this decision because they do not keep information about the occupation. County health departments will communicate with employers about access to mass vaccination sites. Some employers may run their own vaccination campaigns.
People who are incarcerated will be reached by correction officers. People in homeless shelters will be vaccinated by “strike teams” or at mass vaccination sites, administered by county health departments.
Who’s after this?
Phase 1C follows. There is still no estimated start date for vaccinating this group, but the authorities intend to offer everyone at this stage at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of April or early May.
This group includes anyone aged 50 or over and anyone aged 16 to 49 at high risk due to deficiency or underlying medical conditions and / or deficiency (cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, organ transplantation , obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking and type 2 diabetes mellitus).
This group also includes workers in water and waste management; defense; energy; communication and information technology; financial services; chemicals / hazardous materials; government operations or community service.
These groups will receive vaccinations from doctors and health plans, primary care clinics, pharmacies, some workplaces and special vaccination sites administered by county public health departments and other community partners.
What about the rest of us?
Phase 2 has just been proposed and is likely to change before the estimated start date of spring 2021.
It will likely include employees and residents of congregated settings and homes for people with disabilities or severe mental illness, as well as people at moderate risk due to underlying health conditions.
As the offer expands, it will also include the general population, children and workers not included in Phase 1.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Call the state COVID-19 hotline: 1-833-422-4255 (8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays). The hotline will provide general information about eligibility in phases 1A, 1B and 1C. Provide your age and a description of the type of work you do.
I’m a veteran Where am I going?
Like the state, the Veterans Administration also has a phased plan. It is currently offering vaccines to these three groups: veterans living in long-term care facilities, veterans with spinal cord injuries and VA health personnel.
Upon completion of these groups, VA will begin offering vaccines to veterans who are at high risk of serious illness due to age or health, based on federal criteria.
If you are a veteran eligible to receive a vaccine, your VA health team will contact you.
Are vulnerable communities receiving special assistance?
Using the California Healthy Places Index, an online tool that measures life expectancy and living conditions across the state, health officials seek to track vaccination rates between communities and reach underserved neighborhoods and rural areas.
How quickly does the vaccine protect me?
It usually takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. This means that it is possible for a person to become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 shortly after vaccination and still become ill. It is not known how long the vaccine-induced immunity lasts, but after COVID-19 infections, most people have a robust immune response that lasts at least 8 months.