“We will have between 750 and 800 consultations today.”
Riverside County Department of Public Health spokesman Jose Arballo has been at the forefront of launching the vaccine in Riverside County. He was at the site Sunday at the Indio Fairgrounds, which has become one of the latest clinics to administer vaccines.
The clinic opened at 8:30 am and was scheduled to go until 4:30 pm
Hundreds of people attended. Most people waited in line for more than an hour, despite having an appointment.
“I feel great, exciting!” said Palm Springs resident Marietta Perkins.
“I definitely don’t want to get the vaccine, so I just needed to get the vaccine,” said La Quinta resident Dan Gibeau.
Each person had their own reasons for coming to receive the vaccine.
“I am 73 years old and I have been very, very careful. I haven’t seen my grandchildren for almost a year or my children. My mother-in-law is in a nursing home,” said Palm Springs resident Austin Buffum.
Since the opening of the first phase of Phase 1B last week, more people have gone out to get vaccinated, even if it means waiting in line for more than an hour.
Residents at Phase 1B level 1 have received authorization to be vaccinated. The group included people aged 65 and over and selected essential workers, such as those in education, day care, emergency services and food and agriculture.
Vaccines are available for the following individuals who live or work in Riverside County:
- Acute Care
- Qualified nursing facilities and assisted living facilities (clinically vulnerable individuals)
- First responders (paramedic / EMTs)
- Correctional Hospitals
- Behavioral Health (Psychiatric)
- Dialysis centers (team)
- Pharmacist and pharmacy team
- Intermediate care facilities
- Education
- Law enforcement
- Home Health and IHSS
- Public Health (field) / DPSS
- Community Health Agents
- Primary care and community clinics
- Urgent care (stand-alone)
- Specialized clinics
- Laboratory Workers
- Oral / dental health clinics
- Mortuary Service Industries
- Food and Agriculture
- Emergency services
“I would say the line is moving reasonably well. It is moving better than I expected, actually,” said Buffum.
Lines involving the Fullenwider Auditorium. Sunday’s weather was not exactly welcoming, with temperatures rising above 80 degrees.
“There are a lot of people who are trying to do it. Why make an appointment if you have to wait in line for hours to get in? I appreciate having the vaccine, but it is poorly administered,” said La Quinta resident David White.
The county emphasized that people will be rejected if they attend a clinic without an appointment.
“We are finding that the vast majority of people who actually make appointments show up,” said Arballo.
On Sunday night, all inquiries on the county’s website were conducted.
“With our commitments this week, we will be practically out of what we have now,” said Arballo.
The county is waiting for another vaccine shipment to make more consultations available.
“We save a certain amount for clinics like this, but the vast majority of the vaccination portion went to our community partners – there are hospitals or clinics, other companies or entities,” said Arballo.
Arballo said he hopes to receive more vaccines in the coming days.
Last week, the window opened to allow the next group of people to be vaccinated, except only health professionals.