The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health is now opening consultations for COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 65 and over.
County health officials say the decision comes at the recommendation of the local Vaccine Task Force based on the current vaccine supply and the risk of serious COVID-19 results.
Appointments for next week will open at 9am on Thursday, February 11th. To schedule an appointment, visit www.Recoverslo.org/VaccineAppointments or call the County Telephone Assistance Center at (805) 543-2444.
Getting the vaccine for COVID-19 is something that George Westlund, a resident of San Luis Obispo County, says he is looking forward to.
“I just see it as another line of protection in addition to the masks,” said Westlund.
Although those in the Westlund age group, people aged 65 to 74, can now get the vaccine – the announcement came with a few caveats.
“We have 1,900 consultations and a population of 38,000 that comprise the age group of 65 to 74 years in our municipality. As you can see, we have a woefully inadequate offer to meet the demand,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County Official of Public Health, he said.
People in the community are being asked to assess their health needs and risks of contracting the virus, to see if they can continue to postpone making appointments for now.
For Westlund, he says it will be worth the wait when it is his turn to get the vaccine, as his family and friends have been affected by the virus.
“I know people who caught him: some had mild cases, some had worse cases and I know some people whose relatives died because of it. So I just see it as a way to stay active and doing it I need to do it,” he said Westlund.
Health officials say consultations are limited due to limited vaccine supplies.
The county expects to administer more than 6,100 first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at next week’s clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande.
Vaccination appointments are also available at select pharmacies and at the French Hospital Medical Center, as your own supplies allow. Click here for information on other local vaccine opportunities.