California is making it easier to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine through volunteering at the COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
The state launched a volunteer page on its My Turn vaccination scheduling system last week to streamline the volunteer process for medical workers and the general public. Municipalities across the state have already made the option of volunteering available, but moving to the state should make the process more accessible to people who would otherwise not be eligible for the vaccine.
“A volunteer who completes a shift of four hours or more is eligible to receive a vaccination, as long as a clinic administrator provides this approval,” said Dave Smith, of the governor’s California Volunteer office, last week during a meeting of the vaccine advisory committee.
Those who are interested in volunteering can do so by visiting myturnvolunteer.ca.gov. Medical workers, such as doctors and nurses, will be required to verify their medical license in order to register as vaccinators, advocates for vaccine preparation or patient observers. Non-medical volunteers, known as general support volunteers, can apply to assist with vaccine registration and administration or as receptionists on site. Some vaccination sites may require a background check.
Residents can select their shift availability by zip code and time. Potential volunteers are asked whether they are willing to travel beyond the CEP range they selected and whether they received the vaccine.
Although volunteers are eligible for the vaccine, they are not guaranteed a dose immediately after a shift. Access to a photo on the same day currently depends on supply levels at locations administered by the county or city. If a vaccine site does not receive the expected allocation on a given day, volunteer hours will be canceled.
California has expanded access to the vaccine by opening more vaccination sites and increasing the number of staff and volunteers there. Dentists and pharmacists were also recruited to assist in the distribution of vaccines.
With the ability of counties to reopen now closely linked to vaccine distribution, levels of capacity and delivery have become much more critical. Authorities recently announced that the state was prepared to administer 3 million doses a week, but the supply of doses depends on the federal government.
The state expects doses to increase significantly in the coming months, following promises from the Biden administration and the authorization of the Johnson & Johnson single-use vaccine.
To date, the state has administered more than 10.5 million doses. The number fell short of the state’s initial goal of administering about 12.5 million doses by the end of February, but supply has steadily increased over time.