February 11, 2021
Redwood City – San Mateo County, starting February 22, will expand COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers and childcare providers, first responders and agricultural and food workers who are eligible for Phase 1B of the state, as the offer allows.
“People are understandably crying out for the vaccine, and we need to act as quickly as possible to make it happen as quickly as possible,” said San Mateo County Supervisor, Carole Groom. “We must do everything we can under the restrictions we have to limit the enormity of the pandemic, as COVID-19 continues to devastate our community.”
Following the state level system, the county, in partnership with private providers, has focused on immunizing health professionals, residents of long-term care facilities and the elderly since the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines became available in December. This week, a third of the elderly aged 65 and over in San Mateo County received the first dose of the vaccine.
This effort will be expanded on February 22 to include eligible essential workers, such as educators, child care, law and enforcement providers and agricultural and food workers, which include certain grocery workers, as limited vaccine supplies allow.
“Putting vaccines in the arms of San Mateo County residents is our highest and most urgent priority,” said County Supervisor Dave Pine, who along with Groom serves on a COVID-19 Council subcommittee. “While we are doing everything possible to ensure that everyone eligible for the vaccine receives one, we face serious supply constraints that complicate our efforts. We ask for patience and understanding in these difficult times. “
Waiting until February 22 to expand eligibility allows the county and partners to continue to focus on vaccinating health professionals and residents 65 and older who are at the highest risk of death from coronavirus. More than 8 out of 10 of the 447 deaths in San Mateo – 84 percent – are people aged 65 and over.
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 vaccine delivery allows, the county on February 22 will provide immunization routes for newly qualified residents who do not have access to the vaccine through their usual health care provider.
The county is working with organizations representing educators, childcare workers, police and farm and restaurant workers to support vaccination plans based on a equity framework. The county will encourage local health care providers to vaccinate priority populations in low-income neighborhoods whenever possible, before opening consultations for the general eligible population.
A total of 84,783 individuals (0ut of the county population of approximately 780,000) received the first dose of the vaccine on Sunday. Nearly 20,000 completed the two-dose vaccine series.
“We need to vaccinate as many people as possible quickly, and that includes essential workers,” said council chairman David J. Canepa. “We need to focus on closing COVID 24/7 so that we can stimulate the economy and start to go back to normal.”
Sign up to receive vaccine eligibility alerts
Although the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine remains limited, residents can apply for the County notification tool to receive alerts when the state makes them eligible and information on how you can get an appointment.
For eligible residents, completing the form also adds them to an extension list for vaccine appointments available at county-sponsored vaccination sites (this form, however, does not replace any application or nomination mechanism offered by other providers in the county. San Mateo).
Test widely available in San Mateo County
Tests for COVID-19 are widely available throughout San Mateo County, including a newly opened dedicated website at the College of San Mateo.
San Mateo County offers free tests for everyone who lives or works in the county – regardless of symptoms.
Drive-through testing for adults and children is available at locations in North Fair Oaks, San Bruno, Daly City and East Palo Alto, in addition to the College of San Mateo.
For details and to make an appointment, visit the county testing website. Please note that the days and times, as well as the ages of eligible children, vary by location. The site also includes a link to a searchable map of the state of California test sites.
And remember:
To protect yourself, follow these recommendations:
- Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoid crowds
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
- Wash your hands frequently
Get more information about these and other steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.