UPDATE: SLO Co. Public Health reports that all appointments for the next week have been scheduled.
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ORIGINAL STORY: People aged 75 and over in San Luis Obispo County will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting on Monday.
The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health says that vaccines will be distributed by appointment only at two SLO County clinics.
This age group is the first group in Phase 1B of the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in SLO County. Until now, only those in Phase 1a were eligible.
“We should allocate our limited supply of vaccine based on who is most at risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19,” said SLO County Public Health Officer, Dr. Penny Borenstein. “Here in SLO County, more than three-quarters of the people who died of COVID-19 were 75 or older. They are more at risk of serious illness or death than other age groups. By allowing them to be vaccinated now, we are all helping to prevent the most serious results. “
Although California announced earlier this week that those 65 and older could also start receiving the vaccine, SLO County says those aged 65 to 74 will be included in a later part of Phase 1b.
“SLO County is home to more than 26,000 residents aged 75 and over, but it only has enough vaccine next week to vaccinate 4,000 people,” said health officials. “As more vaccines become available, the County will aim to serve up to 1,000 people a day at each clinic.”
The Paso Robles clinic at the Paso Robles Event Center can receive up to 400 consultations per day and the San Luis Obispo site can receive up to 750.
When additional vaccines arrive, a third clinic in South County will open.
“Given the expected high demand, we ask that anyone eligible for vaccination who has taken COVID-19 in the past 90 days, or anyone who can continue to stay at home without visitors, please wait a little longer to register for a consultation, ”said Dr. Borenstein.
Health professionals in Phase 1a may still receive vaccines.
Health officials say more than 11,000 people at that stage have been vaccinated locally so far.
To schedule an appointment, click here or call (805) 543-2444.