The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health launched a new data panel for the COVID-19 vaccine, public health officials said on Thursday.
The panel includes information on the total number of residents vaccinated to date, as well as information by race / ethnicity, sex and age from the California Immunization Registry of the state’s department of public health.
These data help to track and ensure equitable access for those most at risk of serious illness and death, as well as those most at risk of exposure, officials said.
“Addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable access to the COVID vaccine for the most affected communities is and remains the top priority for the county,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody.
The county’s recent move to a “policy without a wrong door” is an example of removing barriers to vaccination.
The new policy, announced on Thursday, allows residents aged 65 and over to make appointments with any vaccine provider, regardless of their coverage, in an effort to streamline vaccinations for one of the most at-risk communities.
Elderly people aged 65 and over account for 81% of deaths from COVID-19 and about 60% of hospitalizations. So far, about 24% of the population over 65 has been vaccinated and 37% of those over 75.
On Thursday, more than 10% of the county population aged 16 and over received at least one dose of the vaccine, “reflecting strong progress”, towards the county’s goal of vaccinating 85% of the population by August 1, 2021.
The new vaccine data panel will be updated daily. The information is self-reported by vaccine providers in the county and includes information about non-resident residents, such as health professionals who live elsewhere but work in Santa Clara County.
The panel can be accessed through this link: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/dashboard-vaccine.aspx?mc_cid=fe1c613fca&mc_eid=882534314e. To schedule appointments or learn more about vaccination in Santa Clara County, visit sccfreevax.org.