It has been two months since the first Californian received the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 5 million of you have managed to get the coveted vaccine since then.
Anyone who has succeeded – or relentlessly redialed and renewed until their fingers are numb – knows how maddening it can be to get an appointment.
And as we enter the third month of your search for vaccination against coronavirus, the good news is that there are more and more places to get a vaccine. But figuring out exactly where to go and how to apply is becoming even more confusing as the options grow. If it looks like you’re stuck in a cruel board game – “CVS has just closed. Go back three spots and drive 48 miles from Gilroy to Palo Alto ” – here’s a guide on how to navigate the vaccine game in the Bay Area.
First, a few words of caution: Health professionals regularly update their enrollment instructions, so that guidelines can change quickly. In addition, we hear about some problems with people who apply online – especially with CAPTCHA, which computers use to determine whether you are human. If possible, try changing your browser and, if that doesn’t work, devices. Some platforms seem to work perfectly on a laptop, but terribly on mobile devices.
OK, now that this is resolved, let’s get started.
Step 1: Make sure you are currently eligible for a vaccine.
California created different stages for the distribution of the vaccine. At present, health workers, long-term residents, people aged 65 and over, and people working in education and day care, emergency services and food and agriculture are eligible.
You can keep up to date by checking covid19.ca.gov and signing up to receive an alert when you are eligible at myturn.ca.gov. A caveat: just because you are technically eligible does not mean you can get a vaccine right away. Supply has been a major bottleneck.
Step 2: If you are eligible, regardless of where you live, check with your primary care provider or hospital first. Here is a list of some of the things that top Bay Area providers are telling patients.
Kaiser Permanente
Who: Individuals over 75
How: Kaiser will send a letter or email to eligible patients to schedule an appointment. He no longer provides a phone number for people to proactively make an appointment. Non-members over 75 can call 866-454-8855 to arrange a meeting. Kaiser is one of the only providers that still restricts access to people aged 75 and over. Kaiser says the cut occurs because the vaccine supply is very limited.
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Sutter Health (Palo Alto Medical Foundation)
Who: Patients over 65
How: Sign up for the My Health Online portal or call 844-987-6115
View the catalog Go to the Sutter website for more information Favorites
Stanford Health Care
Who: Individuals over 65
How: Apply online through the MyHealth portal or call 650-498-9000. Stanford has vaccination sites on campus, in East Bay and in South Bay.
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El Camino Health
Who: Santa Clara County residents over 65
How to: Apply online at ElCaminoHealth.org
Go to the El Camino Health website for more information
John Muir Health
Who: Patients aged 75+; Patients over 65 years old starting on February 15
How: JMH says he will reach patients to schedule an appointment using messages from the patient portal, email, text messages and phone calls.
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VA Northern California Health Care System
Who: Veterans over 65, on hemodialysis or chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, with ALS or who are homeless
How: Through my healthandVeterinary account or by calling 800-382-8387
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Step 3: If you are unable to obtain a vaccine through your health care provider, but the state says you are eligible (say you are a 68 year old Kaiser patient), check with your county if you can be vaccinated on a county website .
Some counties, like Santa Clara, have said that county residents can apply for an injection through them, regardless of whether they have private health insurance and where they have it from. Others, like San Mateo, are referring people to private health care providers. Here’s what the Bay Area counties are saying.
Alameda County
Alameda County is advising people to check with their doctor. Qualified residents can also be vaccinated at the Oakland Coliseum, which is a major FEMA / state vaccination site scheduled to open on Tuesday, February 16. Sign up through MyTurn.CA.gov in the coming days.
Go to the Alameda County website for more information
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County is scheduling vaccination appointments for residents 65 and older. Qualified residents can complete an online form to request an interview. Residents without internet access or with problems using the form can call 833-829-2626.
View the catalog Go to the Contra Costa County website for more information Favorites
San Francisco County
San Francisco is offering vaccines to people over 65 and has several major vaccination sites, including Moscone Center South, City College and San Francisco State University. Book online at sf.gov or call 833-422-4255.
Go to the San Francisco County website for more information
San Mateo County
San Mateo County is advising residents to check with their doctor about the availability of the vaccine.
More information on the San Mateo County website.
Santa Clara County
The county is vaccinating residents over the age of 65 in several locations, including the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Levi’s Stadium, Valley Health Center Gilroy and Mountain View Community Center. Visit vax.sccgov.org to make an appointment online or call 408-970-2000. The county is also offering mobile clinics in East San Jose and Gilroy, where residents can stop by to get the vaccine by appointment.
Go to the Santa Clara County website for more information
Step 4: If you are not yet lucky to schedule an appointment (say you are a late Kaiser patient from the 60s living in San Mateo County), check with your nearby pharmacy; some large chains are starting to offer vaccines in California.
CVS
CVS started offering coronavirus vaccines in some stores on Friday, February 12. You can book on CVS.com, through the CVS Pharmacy app, or by calling 800-746-7287. The locations will change depending on the vaccine supply, but the vaccine is expected to be available at CVS stores throughout the bay area.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid is offering vaccines in several locations in the Bay Area. Book online at RiteAid.com
/ pharmacy / covid-qualifier.
Walgreens
Walgreens is also offering vaccines, including in San Francisco and Contra Costa counties. Book online at Walgreens.com.
Groceries
Some supermarkets are also giving the injections. Visit mhealthappointments.com/covidappt to see if a store near you has any vaccines.
Do you have a story to share about your success or frustration with being vaccinated in the Bay Area? Send us the details by filling out the form below.